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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bug concern shuts children's unit | Bug concern shuts children's unit |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The intensive care unit of Glasgow's hospital for sick children has been closed to new admissions because of concerns over a dangerous bacterium. | The intensive care unit of Glasgow's hospital for sick children has been closed to new admissions because of concerns over a dangerous bacterium. |
| The Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill closed the unit after five children were found with different strains of Pseudomonas. | |
| A spokeswoman for the health board said the bacterium was identified as part of the hospital's screening programme. | A spokeswoman for the health board said the bacterium was identified as part of the hospital's screening programme. |
| She said the unit was closed on Friday afternoon, after the discovery. | She said the unit was closed on Friday afternoon, after the discovery. |
| People with suppressed immune systems and those on ventilators are particularly vulnerable to the infection. | People with suppressed immune systems and those on ventilators are particularly vulnerable to the infection. |
| The hospital did not give the ages of those affected but the ward treats children up to the age of 13. | The hospital did not give the ages of those affected but the ward treats children up to the age of 13. |
| It is traditionally a bug which infected people who have other things wrong with them Prof Hugh Pennington | |
| Their parents have been kept informed and strict infection control measures have been put in place. | Their parents have been kept informed and strict infection control measures have been put in place. |
| The spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that, as a precautionary measure, we are not admitting new patients to the unit. | |
| "Five children have tested positive for several strains of Pseudomonas. | |
| "Strict infection control measures have been put in place and the situation is being strictly monitored. | "Strict infection control measures have been put in place and the situation is being strictly monitored. |
| "We have given advice and assurance to the parents. None of the children are giving us cause for concern as a result of the bug." | |
| Produce pigment | |
| Microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington said: "It is traditionally a bug which infected people who have other things wrong with them. | |
| "It has been a problem over the years in burns units, for example. | |
| "It is a bug that lives in the environment. It is down in the drains and so on. | |
| Prof Pennington said the bug was very common. | |
| He added: "It can cause ear infections and one of the characteristics there is that the pus that comes out is a bluey-green colour because with this bug some of the strains produce a pigment." | |
| Prof Pennington said that the bug can thrive in damp conditions and on broken skin. |