Five babies die in Welkom hospital - dept

Five infants who died at the Bongani Hospital in Welkom last week were not affected by Klebsiella infections, the Free State Health department said.

"Earlier... we issued a statement reporting on the death of five babies in what was understood to be a Klebsiella 'outbreak' at Bongani Hospital," spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said in a statement.

"In the interest of safeguarding the health of the babies in our medical facilities, health specialist teams were assembled to determine and authenticate the alleged 'outbreak' and what could be the source in order to quickly handle and eliminate it."

The investigation determined that four had low birth weights and died from pulmonary haemorrhage, which is bleeding in the lungs. One died from birth asphyxia.

"All these babies were confirmed... by the laboratory not to have Klebsiella infection."

Earlier in the month the hospital had four babies that had Klebsiella infection. Three were treated successfully and discharged, while one died.

Klebsiella infections involve the Klebsiella bacteria and include pneumonia, bloodstream infections and meningitis.

Source: News24