Mexican health officials are looking into the deaths of 13 infants who contracted a bacteria that most likely started in IV feeding bags at four different hospitals. In hospitals, seven people are undergoing treatment.
Klebsiella oxytoca is a bacterium that is resistant to several popular antibiotics. The nation’s Department of Health said the children, all under 14, seemed to have died from a blood illness.
The cases were initially discovered in November at a private hospital on the outskirts of Mexico City as well as three federal institutions.
Four of the 20 instances that were found are thought to be likely cases, one has been ruled out, and 15 have been confirmed to have Klebsiella oxytoca.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference on Friday that Productos Hospitalarios S.A. de C.V., the business that makes the suspected IV fluid, has had its contract and registration suspended.
Sheinbaum remarked, “It is very sad that this has happened,” “The cause of the death, which happened not only in one hospital but in several is being investigated.”
David Kershenobich, Mexico’s health secretary, is voicing his opinions on the matter, she said.
Although the precise cause of the outbreak is still being investigated, nutritious intravenous fluids or the equipment used to administer them are believed to be a contributing factor.
On December 3, the Mexican Health Department issued an Epidemiological Alert and directed physicians to stop using the company’s IV feeding bags.
“Health personnel, both in public and private units, should notify the General Directorate of Epidemiology, the Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance Network and NOTINMED, as well as its state and institutional authorities, immediately upon identification of a probable case,” the Ministry of Health stated in a news release.
Mexico has struggled in recent years with problems related to tainted medical supplies.
An anesthesiologist’s use of tainted morphine caused a meningitis outbreak last year that affected 79 individuals and killed 25.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!