Premature babies with bacterial infection die in New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Two more premature infants with a bacterial infection have died, New Jersey officials said. They died last week and were not identified.

The state Health Department is investigating the A. baumannii outbreak at University Hospital in Newark and said Tuesday that the infants had confirmed cases of the bacteria.

A third infant with the bacteria was previously reported to have died.

The department said the two infants contracted the infection six weeks ago but had other medical conditions due to being born premature, meaning the bacterial infection may not be the cause of death. A survey team is on site and investigating the hospital's policies.

In a statement, the hospital said there have been no new cases in the neonatal intensive care unit since October. The facility added that it was working to control the outbreak and reinforcing proper procedures.

State officials first became aware of the infection last month when four cases were confirmed.

The fourth infant was discharged last month.

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Statement from University Hospital

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Statement from the New Jersey Department of Health

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Statement from Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka