Thirteen children under the age of 14 have tragically lost their lives in central Mexico, with authorities pointing to contaminated IV feeding bags as the suspected cause. The federal Health Department has taken swift action by instructing doctors nationwide to cease using IV nutrition bags produced by Productos Hospitalarios S.A de C.V. While investigations are ongoing to pinpoint the exact source of the infections, initial findings suggest a multidrug-resistant bacteria known as Klebsiella oxytoca.
The outbreak was first identified in November at several hospitals in the State of Mexico, near Mexico City, where cases of blood infections were reported among young patients. Of the 20 potential cases, the bacteria was ruled out in one instance, suspected in four cases, and confirmed in 15 cases. Tragically, 13 children have succumbed to the infections, while the remaining six are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
