Source of rare scalded skin infection outbreak yet to be identified by experts

AN expert health group set up to investigate the country’s first recorded outbreak of a potentially fatal skin disease in Limerick this year has still been unable to identify the source of the infection.

A preliminary report on the case of five newborn babies who were infected with Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS) at Limerick’s Regional Maternity Hospital said no obvious link between the affected patients had been found so far. The report is contained in the latest journal published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Five cases of SSSS were confirmed in full-term, healthy babies born at Limerick’s Regional Maternity Hospital between February and May.