London's only neonatal intensive care unit remained closed today after an outbreak of respiratory illness.
But a good scrubbing at the unit at St. Joseph's hospital has opened up room for any expectant mothers who show up on the doorstep about to give birth prematurely.
"If someone comes in unexpectedly, we will do our best," Dr. Henry Roukema, medical director of the unit, said yesterday.
The seven babies who tested positive for parainfluenza type 3 or respiratory syncytial virus -- or in some cases both -- are all doing better, he said.
"They are getting off the ventilators."
No other babies are showing signs of the lung infections.
Signs of an outbreak surfaced Monday, when two infants released from the unit needed more oxygen than before.
Those two babies and two more who had shared a room with them were tested. All four had viral respiratory illnesses.
All the 35 babies in the unit were tested and another three tested positive.
The infections are common in young children and the virus is making the rounds in London, Roukema said.
The infections do little harm to healthy young children, but can cause serious complications such as pneumonia in premature or unwell babies.
"We really want to make sure we contain it," Roukema said.
That means only parents or primary caregivers will be allowed to visit babies in the unit until the infections are under control, he said.
The infected infants are being kept apart from the others.
By doubling up the other infants and sanitizing some rooms, the hospital has created space for any new babies, Roukema said.
Hospital officials will assess the status of the unit day by day, he said.
Both boys are testing negative these viruses. :o)
