Eight premature infants at Rambam found carrying resistant bacteria

Eight premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at Rambam Hospital have recently been found to be carriers of CA-MRSA, a strain resistant to several antibiotics, according to a Ynet report. None of the infants has developed symptoms or illness so far, and the case was reported to Israel’s Health Ministry.

The Health Ministry told Ynet that all of the carrier infants are receiving an ointment to treat the bacterial carriage. As part of an epidemiological investigation, one staff member was found to be a carrier, and all staff are now being tested to prevent further spread. The ministry said the hospital is following its instructions and that the NICU is currently closed to transfers from other hospitals. Officials said they are continuing to monitor the required steps until the testing is completed and further infections are prevented.

Rambam Medical Center said screening in the NICU showed that several infants were carrying CA-MRSA, a common community strain. The hospital stressed that this was carriage, not disease, and that the babies’ medical condition is stable with no clinical signs of illness.

According to the hospital, the carrier infants were isolated in separate areas from the other babies and are being treated by a dedicated team that does not care for the rest of the unit. Parents were notified, the infection prevention unit at the Health Ministry was informed, and Rambam said its infection-control team is still trying to identify the source of the exposure. For now, the NICU will not admit premature infants transferred from other hospitals.