MEXICO CITY — A tragic incident in central Mexico has resulted in the deaths of thirteen children under the age of 14, with authorities indicating that tainted IV feeding bags may be to blame. The federal Health Department has instructed medical professionals nationwide to refrain from utilizing nutritional IV bags produced by Productos Hospitalarios S.A de C.V., while the precise origin of the contamination remains under investigation.
The infection appeared to be caused by Klebsiella oxytoca, a type of multidrug-resistant bacteria. It was initially identified in November at three government hospitals and one private facility in the State of Mexico, situated near Mexico City. According to officials, the children’s deaths were primarily attributed to a bloodstream infection.
Out of a total of 20 potential cases, the bacteria has been excluded in one instance, is suspected in four, and has been confirmed in 15 cases. Among the 19 affected patients, 13 have unfortunately passed away, while six others are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
When asked about these recent incidents, President Claudia Sheinbaum commented that health officials had informed her about one case recently and emphasized that the situation is “under control.” This outbreak marks another significant challenge for Mexico’s struggling healthcare system, which has been underfunded and facing numerous issues.
Just last week, the director of the national cardiology institute expressed that the hospital lacks funds to procure vital supplies, describing the circumstance as “critical.” Dr. Jorge Gaspar, the director, noted in an internal communication that budgetary reductions have hindered the acquisition of necessary supplies for the hospital’s operation. Following this realization, he issued a public letter to clarify that the initial remarks were meant for internal stakeholders and reassured the public that efforts are underway to address the situation.
Mexico has faced continual issues relating to contaminated medical supplies over the years. Earlier in 2023, authorities took action against an anesthesiologist suspected of causing a meningitis outbreak that resulted in 35 deaths and left 79 others ill. This doctor, whose identity has not been disclosed, allegedly transported his own morphine between private hospitals, which led to a fungal infection contaminating medication at the first facility due to improper storage practices.
Many smaller hospitals and maternity clinics in Mexico lack the resources to maintain their own pharmacies or to manage controlled substances such as opiates, forcing them to rely on anesthesiologists bringing supplies.
In a separate incident in 2020, a hospital operated by the state oil company caused the deaths of 14 individuals when they administered a drug to dialysis patients that was contaminated with bacteria, which affected over 69 patients in total during that outbreak.
Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who concluded his term on September 30, frequently criticized pharmaceutical companies for high pricing. He aimed to reform the medical procurement system, promising a health care system that would outperform even that of Denmark. However, the newly established government-run warehouse system has encountered significant difficulties, leading to ongoing shortages of supplies and medications. Meanwhile, a vast supply depot López Obrador set up, dubbed a “mega drug store,” remains largely unused.
