KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Health has called on health authorities outside of Jamaica for help, in the wake of an outbreak of bacterial infection at the University Hospital of the West Indies and the Cornwall Regional Hospital, where 18 of 42 infected newborn babies have died since June.

The infections are reportedly caused by the Klebsiella and Serratia bacteria.

“As a precautionary measure, I spoke with the executive director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency and they are on standby to give any assistance we may require,” Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson said at a press conference at Jamaica House Tuesday.

The alarming statistics were revealed not by the minister, but via a power-point presentation delivered by national epidemiologist Dr Karen Webster.

Additionally, the health minister said, a Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) advisor on infection prevention control is scheduled to arrive in the island from Washington today.

“In addition, I have been informed that there are two additional persons coming from PAHO,” he stated.

Dr Ferguson said the ministry has engaged a medical microbiologist who visits and works with hospitals to ensure that infection and prevention control practices are kept at the appropriate standard.

The ministry insists that most of the babies who have died were those born before seven months gestation, and who had low birth rates. The health authorities also maintain that infections happen “from time to time” among newborns in special care nurseries.

Alphea Saunders