Prince George’s Co. Hospital closes NICU after 3 test positive for bacterium Pseudomonas

WASHINGTON — Prince George’s County Hospital Center has closed its neonatal intensive care unit and is relocating its patients after three in the unit tested positive for bacterium Pseudomonas.

The hospital said three neonatal patients tested positive for the the presence of the bacteria, which can cause severe illness and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the patients tested positive, all are clinically asymptomatic for any active infection with the bacterium, the hospital said.

The bacteria was found in a pipe, a hospital spokesperson told WTOP. Also, the NICU is the only unit where patients have tested positive for the bacteria, the hospital said in a statement.

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