Unit 'may not reopen until 2007'

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A neo-natal unit in Norfolk contaminated by a rare bug may not fully re-open until the New Year, a hospital spokesman has told the BBC.

Five babies at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, in Norwich, continue to be treated after being infected by the PVL bacteria.

The Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) staphylococcus aureus attacks white blood cells.

One very sick baby at the unit, born at 27 weeks, has died.

A spokesman said the hospital was not accepting new admissions to the unit from other hospitals in the region.

Antibiotic treatments

"It could be the New Year before it fully reopens," he said.

On Friday experts stressed this was not the same bug as the PVL strain of the superbug MRSA which killed two patients at a West Midlands hospital.

The infection which the babies have can be treated with some antibiotics.

Microbiologists at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital are now investigating if the rare PVL infection contributed to the baby's death.

None of the other five babies have an active PVL infection. All are in isolation and being treated with antibiotics.

The hospital said they are doing well.