Fatal Infection Closes Baby Ward

A neo-natal unit at a Greater Manchester Hospital has been temporarily closed after a baby died and another suffered from a potentially deadly infection.

The premature baby died in December at the Salford Royal Hospital after having developed an infection from Aspergillus, a common airborne fungus and died.

Another premature baby tested positive for the infection last week.

The hospital closed as a precautionary measure to establish any common factors.

Dr Michael Robinson, Senior Consultant Neonatologist told the BBC: "Pre-term babies are more susceptible to developing infections because of their immaturity and we continue to do all that we can to reduce these.

"When a second infection occurred within two months of the first, we took further advice and are embarking upon a range of investigations and precautionary measures to ascertain whether there are any common contributory factors.

"As a temporary measure, we have closed the unit to admissions of pre-term babies and are currently monitoring the situation closely."

The aspergillus fungus is found in homes and buildings everywhere and can cause infections, but is especially dangerous to people who have weak immune systems.

(VB)