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| Inquiry after babies contract bug | Inquiry after babies contract bug |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An investigation has been launched at a Fife hospital after four newborn babies contracted an infection. | |
| The babies, who were born at Forth Park Hospital in Kirkcaldy, were found to be suffering from methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). | |
| An infection control team has been set up by NHS Fife and has begun investigating how the bacterium spread. | An infection control team has been set up by NHS Fife and has begun investigating how the bacterium spread. |
| One of the infants is still in hospital and is said to be improving. The others have been discharged. | One of the infants is still in hospital and is said to be improving. The others have been discharged. |
| All of the infants were under three weeks old when they contracted the bug. They had been born within 13 days of each other. | All of the infants were under three weeks old when they contracted the bug. They had been born within 13 days of each other. |
| MSSA can spread easily and is usually a relatively minor infection that responds well with appropriate medical care NHS Fife spokeswoman | MSSA can spread easily and is usually a relatively minor infection that responds well with appropriate medical care NHS Fife spokeswoman |
| MSSA causes skin blisters and weeping from the umbilical cord. | MSSA causes skin blisters and weeping from the umbilical cord. |
| An NHS Fife spokeswoman said the bacterium was present on the skin of about 20% of babies in the first week of birth without causing problems. | An NHS Fife spokeswoman said the bacterium was present on the skin of about 20% of babies in the first week of birth without causing problems. |
| "No cause of the infection has been identified, however investigations are ongoing," she said. | "No cause of the infection has been identified, however investigations are ongoing," she said. |
| "MSSA can spread easily and is usually a relatively minor infection that responds well with appropriate medical care. | "MSSA can spread easily and is usually a relatively minor infection that responds well with appropriate medical care. |
| "Taking simple precautions such as careful hand washing can significantly reduce the risk of spreading the infection." | "Taking simple precautions such as careful hand washing can significantly reduce the risk of spreading the infection." |
| NHS Fife has sent letters to GPs and other medical professionals advising them of the infection. | NHS Fife has sent letters to GPs and other medical professionals advising them of the infection. |
| Anyone who is concerned about a baby less than three weeks old who was born at the hospital is asked to contact their GP or NHS 24. | Anyone who is concerned about a baby less than three weeks old who was born at the hospital is asked to contact their GP or NHS 24. |