Johannesburg - Two cases of a potentially deadly bacteria - New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) - have been reported at Life Cosmos Hospital in Emalahleni (formerly Witbank), Mpumalanga.
A pregnant nurse from the hospital had to undergo an urgent Caesarean section to protect her baby after she had tested positive for NDM-1.
The nurse had contracted the bacteria while treating the patients who were admitted to the hospital last month.
According to Life Cosmos Hospital manager Andre Joseph, they had become aware last month that a patient who had been admitted previously, had tested positive for the NDM-1 bacteria.
He said all staff were tested and advised on extra precautions to contain isolated cases.
“Life immediately took preventative measures to curtail the spread of the bacteria [on top of the standard preventative measures in place],” Joseph said.
He said the nurse and baby were doing well, adding that the nurse had the baby a little early because of unrelated complications to NDM-1.
But, The Star understands the gynaecologist had advised her to undergo an early Caesarean section immediately to protect the baby.
On Tuesday, Dr Juno Thomas, from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, said the bacteria could be contracted by coming into contact with infectious material such as faeces and infected body fluids. She said the bacteria was drug-resistant and could lead to death if contracted by people with serious underlying illnesses or impaired immune defensive.
She said many people contract the infection, but never become ill.
“It’s a minority of people who will develop an illness,” she said.
Meanwhile, Joseph said two patients who had been in the same ward with the infected patient were immediately counselled and tested.
The test results returned negative. Joseph said they had immediately notified the Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases as this was a problem faced by health care, not only in SA, but worldwide.
The bacteria was first noted in India in 2009. However, infections by bacteria producing the NDM-1 enzyme have since been reported across the world, including the UK, the US, Pakistan, Canada, Australia and Japan.
Last year, infections by bacteria producing the NDM-1 enzyme were reported at Life The Glynwood Hospital in Benoni.
Thomas said investigations were under way to verify the cases reported both at Life The Glynwood and Life Cosmos.
However, sources claim this has caused panic among staff at the hospital, because they had not been informed formally about the bacteria symptoms and how it spreads.
An insider said: “They are trying to hide this because they think if they make a formal announcement, patients will be scared to come to the hospital.”
Patients who have contracted the bacteria present with diarrhoea and Klebsiella pneumonia symptoms.
The Star