Rambam says several premature babies and a staff member carried antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Rambam Medical Center said on Friday that a routine bacterial screening in its neonatal intensive care unit found several premature babies carrying CA-MRSA, a community strain of methicillin-resistant bacteria. The hospital stressed that the finding indicates carriage only, not active illness, and said it is continuing an epidemiological investigation to find the source of the exposure.

In response, the neonatal unit will not accept transfers of premature babies from other hospitals until the tests and necessary treatment are completed. The hospital said the babies who tested positive are in good medical condition, show no clinical signs of infection, and have been isolated in separate areas from the rest of the unit. They are being treated by a dedicated team that does not care for the other babies.

The Health Ministry said it had been informed of eight premature babies in the unit who carry MRSA. According to the ministry, all of them are receiving an ointment to treat the carriage state and none has symptoms or disease caused by the bacterium. During an epidemiological investigation, a staff member was also found to be a carrier, and all staff are now being tested to prevent further spread.

Parents were updated about the findings, and the case was reported to the national infection prevention unit. Rambam said its infection-prevention team is still working to identify the source and ensure no additional transmission occurs. The hospital and the ministry both described the steps as precautionary and preventive.