Mexican authorities investigate deaths of 13 children possibly linked to contaminated IV bags

Health authorities in Mexico are investigating the death of 13 children after being infected with a bacteria that most probably originated in IV feeding bags at four different hospitals. Seven patients are receiving treatment in hospitals.

The bacteria, called Klebsiella oxytoca, has multiple-drug resistance to commonly used antibiotics. The children, all under 14, appeared to have died from a blood infection, according to the country’s Department of Health.

The cases were first found in November at three government hospitals and a private one in the outskirts of Mexico City.

Of the 20 identified cases, 15 are confirmed to have Klebsiella oxytoca, four are considered probable cases, and one has been ruled out.

In her daily news conference Friday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the contract and registration of the company that produces the suspected IV fluid, Productos Hospitalarios S.A. de C.V., has been suspended.

“It is very sad that this has happened,” Sheinbaum said. “The cause of the death, which happened not only in one hospital but in several is being investigated.”

She said Mexico’s Health Secretary David Kershenobich is taking point on the issue.

The exact source of the outbreak is still under investigation, but it is thought to be linked to nutritional IV fluids or the supplies used to deliver them.

Mexico’s Health Department announced an Epidemiological Alert on Dec. 3 and ordered doctors to suspend the use IV nutrition bags made by the company.

In a news release, the Ministry of Health said it “urges health personnel, both in public and private units to immediately notify the General Directorate of Epidemiology, the Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance Network and NOTINMED, as well as its state and institutional authorities, upon identification of a probable case.”

In the past few years, Mexico has grappled with issues involving contaminated medical supplies.

Last year an outbreak of meningitis killed 25 people and sickened 79 after an anesthesiologist used contaminated morphine.