By BRIDGET COOK
A NUMBER of babies at Casey Hospital have been found carrying a superbug which is resistant to antibiotics.
Over the past three weeks, 21 babies across Casey Hospital and Monash Medical Centre have been found to be carrying a particular resistant organism called Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
Enterococcus is a type of bacteria that everyone has in their bowel, which is normally sensitive to a range of antibiotics and usually easily treated.
Vancomycin is an antibiotic that is often used to treat very serious infections however, as the name suggest, VRE is bacteria that has become resistant to and cannot be destroyed by Vancomycin.
Healthy people can carry VRE with no ill effects or signs and symptoms, but it can cause problems for very sick patients whose ability to fight off infections has been lowered.
Monash Health head of infection control Doctor Rhonda Stuart said none of the babies at Casey Hospital have become ill and so some have since been discharged.
“It is likely that these babies had been colonised, rather than infected,” she said.
Colonisation means the bacteria exists in or on the body but is not causing illness, but the bacteria can still be spread to others.
Dr Stuart said Monash Health has implemented a robust set of measures to reduce the risk of transmission or infection.
“Newly admitted babies will have no exposure to babies who potentially carry the organism,” she said.
“Each nursery bay is being isolated for disinfection as babies are discharged.
“We have commenced precautionary screening at other Monash Health hospitals.
“The transfer of babies between our sites and other health services has been heavily restricted.
“We have been openly communicating with parents on this matter.”
Has your baby been found carrying VRE? The News would like to hear from you. Contact Bridget Cook on 5945 0666.
