A neonatal unit in Belfast has reported several deaths due to a bacterial infection, the source of which has been found to be a set of taps. Three babies have died and several more have been found to be infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria are often found in soil and stagnant water but don’t usually cause infection in healthy individuals. However, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be harmful to those with weakened immune systems.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16645957
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/24/belfast-hospital-infection-taps?intcmp=239
Our media policy
This is the era of applied microbiology with stories every day in the media about avian flu, MRSA, C. difficile and MMR to name just a few. A measure of the respect that SfAM's Communication team has gained is that journalists contact us for background briefing and explanation as well as the names of microbiologists they can contact.
We will:
always do our best to provide facts, information and explanation
if speculation is required, explain the rationale behind that speculation
desist from hyping a story - whether it is the journalist or the scientist doing the hyping