A bacteria is spreading panic among parents in Mexico. At least 17 children have died from a possible contamination with the bacteria Klebsiella oxytoca after authorities found new cases in more states of the country, reports AP.
The federal Secretary of Health, David Kershenobich, said on Tuesday that nine cases of possibly infected minors with the bacteria were detected in the western state of Michoacán, of which three died. Additionally, he reported that six cases occurred in the central state of Guanajuato, where one child died.
So far, the infection of 15 children —13 of whom died— had been reported in the State of Mexico, neighboring the capital, and the only place where the presence of the bacteria had been seen.
The Secretary of Health indicated that the outbreaks in Michoacán and Guanajuato have "similar characteristics" to the cases reported last week in the State of Mexico.
Authorities are investigating the cases, but have stated that the children may have been infected through intravenous nutrition solutions. Mexico declared a health alert on December 3.
"We have not had a case since December 3," Kershenobich pointed out, explaining that reports of infections with the bacteria ceased after the preventive immobilization of intravenous nutrition solutions, but clarified that health authorities will wait until December 16 to announce the end of the outbreak.
Following the declaration of the health alert, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) suspended the company responsible for supplying the food given to premature babies.
Similarly, the federal Ministry of Health reported that they were evaluating the intravenous nutrition solutions from the Mexican company SAFE as a possible source of contamination of the mentioned bacteria.
The president Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that she ordered COFEPRIS to inspect all solution mixing centers in the country as a preventive measure.
Likewise, authorities are considering possible administrative and criminal sanctions against the company involved in the alleged distribution of contaminated parenteral nutrition solutions, Sheinbaum reported.