A hospital has closed its neonatal unit to new admissions after a baby died from a rare fungal infection and another was found to be suffering from it.

A premature baby, described as having been very sick, died at Salford Royal Hospital in late December. It was discovered that the child had aspergillus, a common airborne fungal infection, which can attack the very young. The infection was also found on the skin of a second baby, who is now being treated.

As a precautionary measure, the hospital has stopped admitting preterm babies while the cases are investigated.

Michael Robinson, the senior consultant neonatologist, said: “Preterm babies are more susceptible to developing infections because of their immaturity and we continue to do all that we can to reduce these.

“When a second infection occurred within two months of the first, we took further advice and are embarking upon a range of investigations and precautionary measures to ascertain whether there are any common contributory factors.

“As a temporary measure, we have closed the unit to admissions of preterm babies and are currently monitoring the situation closely.”

The disease is a common airborne fungus that is found in homes and buildings and favours damp or flood-damaged properties. It is usually harmless but can develop in people with asthma or weakened immune systems such as leukaemia patients or those undergoing chemotherapy.

The hospital remains open to women giving birth. There were 17 babies on the neonatal unit and they are still being cared for by specialist staff. The hospital is a regional centre for premature babies and has received the highest rating of the Healthcare Commission.

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