Flu A outbreak at maternity hospital contained, says director- 2 died

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http://www.colombopage.com/archive_13A/Apr24_1366786751KA.php

Infection closes the ICU of Sri Lanka's main maternity hospital
Wed, Apr 24, 2013, 12:29 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.


Apr 24, Colombo: The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Castle Street Maternity Hospital in Colombo was closed yesterday following a death of a patient due to an infection at the unit, the Ministry of Health announced.

A patient with high fever has died in the ICU recently and another patient who was in the ICU has caught the illness. The second patient has been transferred to the De Soyza Maternity Hospital in Colombo.

The hospital authorities had taken measures to prevent the spread of the infection and the Sri Lanka Medical Research Institute has quarantined the ICU. The patients have been provided with masks.

Director General of the Hospital Dr. W.D.K Wickremasinghe told the media since a patient had dies of an infection at the ICU, it is necessary to conduct investigations to isolate the cause for the infection.

However, only the ICU has been closed and the rest of the hospital is functioning normally, the official said.

He said the Ministry has appointed a committee of specialists and a representative from the Communicable Diseases Unit under the directions of the Director General of Health Services Dr. Palitha Mahipala to probe the issue.

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Re: Infection closes the ICU of Sri Lanka's main maternity hospital - Influenza A confirmed

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_13A/Apr25_1366869132KA.php?

Pathogen infected the ICU of Sri Lanka's main maternity hospital is Influenza-A
Thu, Apr 25, 2013, 11:22 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.


Apr 25, Colombo: The Medical Research Institute (MRI) of Sri Lanka which investigated the cause for the infection at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Castle Street Maternity Hospital in Colombo says the pathogen that infected the ICU was Influenza-A virus.

The tests conducted by the MRI have determined that the maternity patient died at the ICU has contracted the virus.

Following the death of the patient and a second patient at the ICU contracting the disease, health authorities closed the ICU yesterday.

A second patient has died after a still birth in the hospital on April 23 and another patient was in serious condition, hospital sources said.

MRI said the virus is not uncommon and reported several times a year. At least two patients die each year infected by the virus, MRI further said.

The pregnant patients who are there to give birth are especially susceptible to infection due to the weakened state of their immune system, heath authorities cautioned.

MRI together with Epidemiology Unit had taken steps to quarantine the ICU and disinfect the facility. Ministry of Health says that steps have been taken to isolate the infected to prevent the spread of the virus.

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Flu A outbreak at maternity hospital contained, says director- 2 died

Source: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130428/new...tor-42534.html

Sunday, April 28, 2013
News
Viral infection at maternity hospital contained, says director

An infection that caused two deaths has been effectively contained and all admissions, clinics and routine activities of the premier women?s hospital are continuing, a top official said.�The viral infection which caused the two deaths has been identified as Influenza A by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) and all precautions taken to protect the other patients, Dr. W.K. Wickremasinghe, the Director of the 485-bed Castle Street Hospital for Women, Colombo, told the Sunday Times.

The Universal Infection Control Precautions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) which are usually implemented at the hospital have been strengthened, he said, explaining that as of Friday (April 26) some of the other eight patients with Influenza A who had been isolated and recovered have been discharged. With new admissions yesterday (April 27), there are six patients with Influenza A in isolation.

There are no complications and the patients are under anti-viral treatment which comes in the form of tablets. As one patient is still recovering in the Intensive Care Unit, arrangements have been made for ICU facilities elsewhere in the hospital, so as not to expose any other patient to the virus, Dr. Wickremasinghe said, explaining that under infection control precautions the staff is wearing protective gear, while the hand-washing regimen is also being strictly followed and linen is being scrupulously sterilised...