KEY POINTS:
A dangerous virus has spread through a hospital's special baby care unit.
Restrictions on patient visits have been introduced as a result of the outbreak.
A total of six "very vulnerable" babies in the care unit at Tauranga Hospital have been infected with respiratory syncytial virus.
The virus is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among children aged under one year.
All six cases were diagnosed last week, prompting their isolation from other babies in the unit.
The unit deals with babies born at 32 to 36 weeks gestation or with a birthweight of 1500 to 2500gm.
There have been no fatalities in the unit as a consequence of the outbreak, although one baby was reported as "quite unwell" but is recovering.
There were three babies in the unit this morning who, because of the infection, were still isolated from unaffected babies.
The baby care unit has been declared off limits to anyone with a cold, cough or influenza.
Confirmation of how the virus got into the ward has not been made other than that it came from someone who has had contact with a baby.
It is hoped the unit will be free of the virus by next week.
The hospital has stepped up measures to prevent infection getting into the unit.
The only people normally allowed in are parents and they have to wash their hands before entering.
However, parents are now being checked for signs of colds, coughs or influenza before they enter.
A sign in the maternity ward advises people not to enter if they have any of these symptoms.
Infection control co- ordinator Adrienne Stewart said because of the babies' vulnerability any potential for passing on a respiratory virus is of concern.
"It's minor to healthy adults and to children but potentially harmful to babies.
"We are asking for the community's help to keep bugs out of our hospital and away from patients."
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board has revealed details of the outbreak in the hope it will stop people with colds, influenza or diarrhoea and vomiting from visiting patients in the hospital.
Ms Stewart said people do not realise the risk they pose to patients when they bring seemingly minor infectious bugs into hospital.
What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
The most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among children aged under one.
Illness begins most frequently with fever, runny nose, cough, and sometimes wheezing.
RSV can cause repeated infections throughout life, usually associated with moderate-to-severe cold- like symptoms.
Source: National Centre for Infectious Diseases
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
