England NICU Bacillus cereus outbreak now at 21 cases, one death
In an update on story from Wednesday, Public Health England (PHE) has issued new numbers and information of the Bacillus cereus outbreak affecting neonatal intensive care units in the country.
After a “look back” at clinical records, health officials find that additional babies received the potentially affected batches of intravenous liquid before Tuesday 3 June, when the affected stock expired, bringing the total number of cases to 21, with 1 death.
Bacillus cereus image/Pete Seidel
The hospitals reporting confirmed, probable and possible cases include one probable case at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire – baby with clinical symptoms, awaiting confirmation on further testing, one possible case at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust – baby with clinical symptoms, blood testing did not confirm the infection, one possible case at CUH Addenbrookes – baby with clinical symptoms, blood testing did not confirm the infection, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust (4 confirmed, 1 possible), Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (3 confirmed), The Whittington Hospital (1 confirmed), Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (3 confirmed), CUH Addenbrookes (Cambridge University Hospitals) (2 confirmed, 1 possible), Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (2 confirmed), Peterborough City Hospital (1 confirmed), Southend University Hospital (1 probable), Stoke Mandeville Hospital (1 probable) and Basildon University Hospital (1 possible).
The babies, who became unwell last week or over the weekend, are responding to antibiotic treatment, health authorities note. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
Dr Brian McCloskey, PHE Incident Director, said:
PHE has been working closely with the neonatal units who received the potentially contaminated batches of Total Parental Nutrition (TPN). All babies who received the potentially contaminated feed have been closely monitored and we have been actively looking at previous case records for any signs of the infection. Because of this, earlier cases are now being included in our total numbers.
Although there is a possibility that babies who developed an infection last week or over last weekend will continue to be reported as a result of our investigations, due to the time that has passed since the product expired, we can be reasonably sure that this number will be very small, but we are keeping a close eye on the situation.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is continuing its investigation into this incident and the manufacturer is co-operating fully. Looking for a job in health care? Check here to see what’s available
[…] an update of the Bacillus cereus outbreak affecting NICUs in England hospitals shows the total number of cases linked to its […]
[…] an update of the Bacillus cereus outbreak affecting NICUs in England hospitals shows the total number of cases linked to its investigation […]