A baby has died and seven others have been put into isolation after a deadly bacteria found its way into a hospital’s neonatal unit.

Two premature babies wereinfected with serratia bacteria at the special care baby unit of Birmingham Heartlands Hospital nearly two weeks ago.

One later died and a further six babies in the unit have since tested positive for serratia on their skin, forcing the neonatal intensive care ward within the unit to be sealed off and closed to new patients.

The bacterium causes infections in the blood and respiratory tract. It can be deadly if it attacks the underdeveloped lungs of an infant.

Lisa Dunn, director of Heartlands Hospital, confirmed the death of the baby and said that an investigation had begun to determine whether serratia was the cause.

Seven babies are being kept in isolation and treated with antibiotics.

Ms Dunn said that a “deep clean” of the unit was carried out after the infection surfaced and that the Health Protection Agency had been informed. The unit has about 30 cots, including 12 for babies who need intensive care.

Serratia infections are relatively uncommon but are usually associated with critical care units. There were 1,196 cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland last year. In January 2006, serratia and another bacteria, pseudomonas aeruginosa, infected three babies on the neo-natal intensive care ward at Sheffield’s Jessop Hospital for Women.

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