Thirteen children under the age of 14 have tragically died in central Mexico, with authorities suspecting contaminated intravenous (IV) feeding bags as a possible cause. The outbreak is potentially caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria Klebsiella oxytoca has raised serious concerns about medical safety in the country.

The Federal Health Department has issued a nationwide directive to stop the use of IV nutrition bags produced by the company Productos Hospitalarios SA de CV. Although the investigation is ongoing to identify the exact source of the infection, the company did not respond to calls or emails seeking comment.

The outbreak was first detected in three government hospitals and one private hospital in the state of Mexico near Mexico City in November. Of the 20 suspected cases, the bacteria have been confirmed in 15, ruled out in one, and four others are under investigation. Thirteen of these confirmed cases died, while six children are still being treated in hospitals.

According to the health department, the affected children died due to blood infection caused by bacteria. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the outbreak on Thursday but assured the public that the situation was “under control.”

The incident has further exposed systemic issues in Mexico’s public healthcare system, which is struggling with shortages and shortages of essential medical supplies.

Last week, the director of Mexico’s National Cardiology Institute, Dr. Jorge Gaspar, said publicly that budget cuts have left the hospital unable to purchase essential supplies. In an internal letter, Gaspar described the situation as “critical”. Although he later assured the public that efforts were ongoing to resolve the issue, the revelation has caused widespread concern.

The current crisis is also a reminder of past health care failures in the country. In 2023, an anesthesiologist was arrested for spreading fungal meningitis, which killed 35 patients and sickened 79 others. The infection was traced to improperly stored morphine that the doctor transported between private clinics.

Similarly, in 2020, 14 people died and 69 others fell ill after being given contaminated dialysis medicines by a government hospital.

Mexico’s healthcare system continues to face problems since former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador reorganized the medical procurement process. His administration’s pledge to provide healthcare “better than Denmark” has been tarnished by chronic shortages of medicines and medical supplies. Government warehouses intended to centralize and streamline distribution have been largely ineffective, and there are reports of facilities lying vacant.

The deaths of these 13 children are the latest in a series of tragedies that have exposed the weaknesses of Mexico’s medical infrastructure. The ongoing investigation into IV bag contamination is likely to renew calls for stronger monitoring of medical supplies and reforms in the country’s health care system.

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