A bacterial outbreak that affected 22 babies at the La Altagracia Maternity in the Dominican Republic has been identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae, according to a El Caribe report (computer translated).

Klebsiella pneumoniae/CDC
Klebsiella pneumoniae/CDC

To date, 14 children are currently being treated with antibiotics and eight children have been discharged.

The outbreak has been linked to a lack of hygiene and infection control.

“It is an intrahospital bacterium very resistant to antibiotics, and this is really due to a deficiency in the cleanliness of the equipment and the hands of the health personnel, who, being infected, can contaminate a child or the same team to several children. that are contaminated, and that is why it is a deficiency of hospital hygiene, “said the infectologist Jesus Feris Iglesias.

Epidemiologist Clemente Terrero said that in the case of newborns, the main vehicle of transmission is catheter contamination or any substance that is used in that room.

Dr. Michael Trinidad who spoke on behalf of the health center said, “The area of perinatology was the affected area, but everything is controlled. A trained staff from the different provincial health directorates is monitoring those who have already been discharged to their homes.”

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Klebsiella is a type of Gram-negative bacteria that can cause different types of healthcare-associated infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis.

In healthcare settings, Klebsiella infections commonly occur among sick patients who are receiving treatment for other conditions. Patients whose care requires devices like ventilators (breathing machines) or intravenous (vein) catheters, and patients who are taking long courses of certain antibiotics are most at risk for Klebsiella infections.

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