2 babies died at Bahamas hospital after outbreak

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Hospital officials in the Bahamas say two babies have died and another six are being treated following a bacteria outbreak at a neonatal intensive care unit.

The Public Hospitals Authority says in a statement that the acinetobacter bamannii outbreak occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Health Minister Dr. Perry Gomez said Friday that he did not think the outbreak was properly handled because the hospital delayed in notifying authorities. The first case was detected about a month ago.

A similar outbreak at the same hospital in August 1996 killed three infants and infected five others.

The bacteria enters the body through open wounds, breathing tubes and catheters and is highly resistant to antibiotics.