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The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) is investigating the deaths of five newborns treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of General Hospital Zone number 1 in Durango (northwest), where it detected a bacteria, although it has not yet established that the discovery of the microorganism explains the deaths.
The organization reported—in a statement—that it is conducting a comprehensive clinical and epidemiological review to determine the circumstances of each case, and noted that authorities from its representation in Durango and at the central level are supervising the investigations.
VIDEO. FOLLOWING DEATHS OF BABIES AT IMSS DURANGO, AUTHORITIES SUSPEND NEW ADMISSIONS
The IMSS informative note was published following the dissemination of local reports recording the five deaths between September 15 and 19, all within the same week, although that chronology was not detailed in the official text.
During surveillance, the institute identified a bacteria sensitive to the commonly used antibiotics available at the hospital, but it specified that, with the available information, its presence “does not explain the deaths by itself” and that the analysis continues.
Social Security has not publicly informed what type of bacteria was detected, nor if it was found in the five deceased newborns, and therefore has not confirmed the existence of an outbreak nor a common cause for the deaths.
As containment measures, the institution isolated cases, restricted new admissions to the NICU in question, and ordered exhaustive cleaning and disinfection, in addition to maintaining contact surveillance and performing follow-up cultures.
According to the official report, those cultures had tested negative as of the cutoff on September 20, and no new suspected patients had been identified.
The IMSS assured that it will maintain epidemiological surveillance in coordination with health authorities, continue the investigation, and offer permanent support to the families of the deceased neonates.
[Publicidad]