‘Super bug’ endangers lives at Stanger hospital

The KZN health authorities have been accused of keeping silent about an outbreak of a “super bug” at Stanger hospital that apparently caused the deaths of five newborn babies.

Dr Imran Keera, Democratic Alliance spokesperson on health matters, said the babies died last week within 24 hours after an outbreak of a super bug called Klebsiella.

Dr Keera also accused the department of failing to warn the public about the health risk at the hospital.

“I received information from a senior medical source at the hospital about the babies who died. We are unsure of their exact ages, but the babies died as a result of lung complications after they picked up infections caused by the Klebsiella bug.

“Nurses also took to social media and posted about the incidents as well as the poor conditions at the hospital. Those nurses are now being disciplined and the posts have been taken down. “We are disgusted at the department’s stance.

“That they would rather withhold such vital information from the public rather than have their name further tarnished is shocking,” said Keera.

Klebsiella is a bacteria that is spread through physical contact or by the contamination of surfaces.

The bacteria cannot be spread through the air. The bug may cause fatal septicaemia, pneumonia, urinary tract infections as well as skin infections.

Dr Keera said overcrowding in the hospital may have encouraged the spread of the bug.

“Stanger hospital has five cubicles where they care for sick babies. These include ICU, high care, infection and an isolation ward, medium care and low care cubicles. No more than four babies are allowed in each cubicle.

“At times there are as many as seven babies crammed into the cubicles. This is a breeding ground for the spread of serious and life-threatening infections.”

The Courier approached the hospital for comment and was referred to the KZN health department. Confirming nine cases of Klebsiella at the hospital, KZN health department spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi said that three, not five, babies had died.

“Stanger Hospital delivers 550 to 600 babies a month. On average at least two babies are ventilated with three in high care using oxygen continuously. There is a large population of newborns at a high risk of infections.”

The health department was still investigating whether the death of the babies is linked to Klebsiella or other causes as the babies were at a high risk of infections due to weak immune systems.

While an investigation into the deaths is ongoing, the affected ward has been disinfected to prevent the bacteria from spreading.

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