Mexican authorities are investigating the deaths of 13 children that may be linked to contaminated intravenous nutrition bags used in four hospitals across central Mexico.
The children, aged 14 and younger, are believed to have succumbed to infections caused by a multidrug-resistant bacteria known as Klebsiella oxytoca, according to health officials.
The fatalities occurred in three public medical facilities and one private clinic in the State of Mexico, as reported by the Health Secretariat on Thursday.
“This outbreak is preliminarily connected to intravenous parenteral nutrition solutions or the supplies used to administer them, which may be contaminated,” the statement noted.
In total, authorities have identified 20 possible cases of Klebsiella oxytoca, with 15 confirmed, four deemed probable, and one ruled out. Additionally, seven other hospitalized children are reported to be “under control,” as stated by the State of Mexico’s health secretary, Macarena Montoya.
In response to the crisis, health authorities have issued a nationwide epidemiological alert and suspended the use of intravenous solutions from the medical device company Productos Hospitalarios. CNN has reached out for comment from Productos Hospitalarios, which has not released any public statements regarding the outbreak. The company claims on its website to have “36 years of experience in the development of innovative solutions for health care.”
President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences over the situation on Friday, calling it “very sad” and emphasizing her government’s commitment to supporting families and determining the cause of the deaths.
Klebsiella oxytoca is known for causing hospital-acquired infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, soft tissue infections, and blood poisoning, often resulting in septic shock.
According to the CDC, patients in hospital settings—particularly those with devices such as ventilators or intravenous catheters, or those receiving prolonged antibiotic treatment—are at increased risk for Klebsiella infections.
Credit: CNN
