ABC: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEXICO CITY —\u00a0Thirteen children under 14 have died in central Mexico and authorities said Thursday they suspect contaminated IV feeding bags as the culprit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The federal Health Department ordered doctors across the country not to use IV nutrition bags made by the company Productos Hospitalarios S.A de C.V., though the exact source of the infections is still under investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The outbreak appeared to be Klebsiella oxytoca, a multidrug-resistant bacteria, in all cases. It was first detected in November at three government hospitals and one private one in the State of Mexico, on the outskirts of Mexico City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department said the children appeared to have died from a bloodstream infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So far, of the 20 possible cases, the bacteria was ruled out in one case, suspected in four and confirmed in 15 cases. Of the 19 patients, 13 died and the other six patients are being treated at hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked about the cluster of cases, President Claudia Sheinbaum<\/a> said Thursday “They (health officials) told me about a case yesterday, but let’s say, it’s under control.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was the latest public blow to Mexico\u2019s tottering, underfunded health care system. Last week, the director of the country\u2019s flagship national cardiology institute said that the hospital didn\u2019t have money to buy essential supplies, calling the situation \u201ccritical.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Jorge Gaspar, the hospital’s director, wrote an internal letter saying that budget cuts \u201chave affected the acquisition of supplies necessary for the institution’s functioning.\u201d In a subsequent public letter the next day, he clarified that the initial message was intended for an \u201cinternal\u201d audience and assured the public that \u201cwe are working to solve the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n