Abstract
On 27 Jul 2013, the Bureau of Epidemiology, Thailand was notified by a private hospital in Bangkok of abnormally increasing number of neonates with Staphylococcus aureus skin infection. An investigation was conducted to determine source of infection and risk factors. Medical records of 101 neonates born during 29 Jun to 31 Aug 2013 were reviewed. The workplaces, including a delivery room, an operating room, a nursery ward and a washing area, were inspected. Clinical and environmental samples were obtained and examined for bacterial culture. Total 40 neonates had clinical features that met the case definition, giving an attack rate of 39.6%. Methicillin susceptible S. aureus was isolated from seven (87.5%) out of eight specimens from skin lesions and three (10.7%) out of 28 nasal swab samples from health care personnel. The infection rate was significantly higher in male neonates (50.0%) than females (27.7%). The outbreak rapidly curtailed after massive control measures, including strengthening contact precaution among health care personnel, provision of health education to mothers and improving the hospital environment.
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