6 Infants Die after Hospital Infection Outbreak in Romania
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Six infants died and three others were infected after a bacterial outbreak at a children's hospital called "Sfanta Maria" in Romania's northeastern Iasi city, the country's Health Ministry said Friday.
The ministry confirmed that nine patients under the age of one had contracted the Serratia marcescens bacteria, but stressed that a direct medical link between the infections and the deaths has not yet been established. Forensic experts will determine whether the bacterium caused the fatalities.
The first case was detected on Sept. 13 but reported to the public health directorate six days later, when four children were already infected. The hospital also failed to impose isolation measures in its intensive care unit (ICU), the ministry said, Xinhua reported.
Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete announced an urgent investigation and threatened to dismiss staff if cover-ups or breaches of medical protocols are confirmed.
Admissions to the ICU sector where the infections occurred have been suspended, with strict hygiene and monitoring measures introduced.
Serratia marcescens is a bacterium commonly found in water, soil and on wet surfaces. It can cause severe infections in vulnerable patients, particularly in hospitals, and is often resistant to antibiotics.
The ministry said that an investigation is underway.
