Death toll from contaminated infant IV feeding bags in Mexico rises to 17

Authorities in Mexico said Tuesday that a total of 17 children have died in central Mexico from suspected contamination of IV feeding bags after four more deaths were confirmed, Report informs via ABC News.

David Kershenobich, the country’s public health secretary, said 16 of the victims were underweight, premature babies being treated at hospitals; the other victim was 14 years old.

He said that two bacteria, including a multidrug-resistant bug, were suspected in the deaths.

Investigators say the bacterial contamination apparently happened at a plant in the city of Toluca that manufactured the IV nutrition mixture, and that the company had been temporarily shut down and use of the product had been halted.

The first infections were reported starting November 22 and the last was identified on December 3. Around 20 other patients had been sickened by the infection and were being treated for it.

All 13 of the first deaths occurred at three government hospitals and one private one in the State of Mexico, on the outskirts of Mexico City.