22/03/2005
MRSA claims life of new-born baby
The MRSA 'superbug' claimed the life of a 36-hour-old baby, it has emerged today.
Luke Day, who is believed to be the youngest victim of the killer bug, was born in Ipswich Hospital on February 2. He weighed 7lbs, 7oz and appeared to be healthy.
However, he fell ill and died the next day – a post-mortem revealed that he had died of septicaemia caused by MRSA.
Luke's parents, Kevin Fenton, 24 and Glynis Day, 17, claimed that the baby's death certificate initially did not cite the cause of death as MRSA. The couple have reportedly blamed the hospital for Luke's death. They have also reportedly accused them of attempting to "cover up" the fact that MRSA had caused the baby's death.
Luke's grandmother, Kathy Day, who worked as a family support worker at Ipswich Hospital, has also reportedly resigned from her job because of the tragedy.
Ipswich Hospital has denied the family's claims that there was an attempt to cover up the cause of Luke's death. The hospital is conducting an investigation into the death, but tests to find the source of the MRSA infection have proved negative, with no trace of the bug being found in the hospital or staff so far.
Speaking at a news conference, Health Secretary John Reid told reporters that there were 2,000 infant deaths every year and every one was a tragedy. However, he said that only one of those deaths was caused by the MRSA infection.T
The MRSA bug is believed to account for around one fifth of the 5,000 deaths that are caused by infections picked up in hospitals every year. The 'superbug', which is resistant to antibiotics, was responsible for almost a thousand deaths in England and Wales in 2003.
(KmcA)
Luke Day, who is believed to be the youngest victim of the killer bug, was born in Ipswich Hospital on February 2. He weighed 7lbs, 7oz and appeared to be healthy.
However, he fell ill and died the next day – a post-mortem revealed that he had died of septicaemia caused by MRSA.
Luke's parents, Kevin Fenton, 24 and Glynis Day, 17, claimed that the baby's death certificate initially did not cite the cause of death as MRSA. The couple have reportedly blamed the hospital for Luke's death. They have also reportedly accused them of attempting to "cover up" the fact that MRSA had caused the baby's death.
Luke's grandmother, Kathy Day, who worked as a family support worker at Ipswich Hospital, has also reportedly resigned from her job because of the tragedy.
Ipswich Hospital has denied the family's claims that there was an attempt to cover up the cause of Luke's death. The hospital is conducting an investigation into the death, but tests to find the source of the MRSA infection have proved negative, with no trace of the bug being found in the hospital or staff so far.
Speaking at a news conference, Health Secretary John Reid told reporters that there were 2,000 infant deaths every year and every one was a tragedy. However, he said that only one of those deaths was caused by the MRSA infection.T
The MRSA bug is believed to account for around one fifth of the 5,000 deaths that are caused by infections picked up in hospitals every year. The 'superbug', which is resistant to antibiotics, was responsible for almost a thousand deaths in England and Wales in 2003.
(KmcA)
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MRSA death rate increased in 2003
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MRSA death rate increased in 2003
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Gu Kailai, the wife of disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai, has been jailed for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. Gu was found guilty of poisoning Mr Heywood on November 2011, she did not contest the charge at her one-day trial and received a suspended death sentence.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
