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Baby ward hit by fatal infection Baby ward hit by fatal infection
(about 3 hours later)
A Greater Manchester hospital has temporarily closed its neo-natal unit after a baby died and another suffered a potentially fatal infection.A Greater Manchester hospital has temporarily closed its neo-natal unit after a baby died and another suffered a potentially fatal infection.
A premature baby developed an infection from aspergillus, a common airborne fungus, and died in December at Salford Royal Hospital.A premature baby developed an infection from aspergillus, a common airborne fungus, and died in December at Salford Royal Hospital.
A second pre-term baby tested positive for skin aspergillus last week.A second pre-term baby tested positive for skin aspergillus last week.
The hospital said it had closed the ward as a precaution to establish any "common contributory factors".The hospital said it had closed the ward as a precaution to establish any "common contributory factors".
The aspergillus fungus is very common and can be found in homes and buildings everywhere, but can cause infections. ASPERGILLUS A common airborne fungusFirst identified in the 18th CenturyGets into the body through a cut or woundTreated with antifungal drugs class="" href="/1/hi/health/7244640.stm">Q&A: Aspergillus The aspergillus fungus is very common and can be found in homes and buildings everywhere, but can cause infections.
Common factors
It is particularly dangerous to those with weakened immune systems.It is particularly dangerous to those with weakened immune systems.
Dr Michael Robinson, senior consultant neonatologist, said: "Pre-term babies are more susceptible to developing infections because of their immaturity and we continue to do all that we can to reduce these.Dr Michael Robinson, senior consultant neonatologist, said: "Pre-term babies are more susceptible to developing infections because of their immaturity and we continue to do all that we can to reduce these.
"When a second infection occurred within two months of the first, we took further advice and are embarking upon a range of investigations and precautionary measures to ascertain whether there are any common contributory factors."When a second infection occurred within two months of the first, we took further advice and are embarking upon a range of investigations and precautionary measures to ascertain whether there are any common contributory factors.
"As a temporary measure, we have closed the unit to admissions of pre-term babies and are currently monitoring the situation closely.""As a temporary measure, we have closed the unit to admissions of pre-term babies and are currently monitoring the situation closely."