THE Belfast health trust is investigating a baby's death following the outbreak of a superbug in a neo-natal unit for Northern Ireland's sickest newborns.
A Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) is underway into the case, which took place at the regional facility at the Royal Jubilee hospital during the summer.
Trust chiefs confirmed the MRSA outbreak and have sought to reassure families of babies currently in the unit that a "robust" approach is being taken in relation to infection control.
It is understood while the bacteria was not a direct cause of the baby's death, it is being connected.
A second baby, who was found to have the same strain and became unwell, has since recovered.
Staff and members of the public who are in contact with the unit continue to be tested.
A trust spokeswoman said: "We would like to reassure the families of our patients as well as the wider public that the situation is being appropriately managed.
"Robust infection prevention and control measures are in place in the unit and every precaution is being taken. Visitors to the neonatal unit can help us to prevent the spread of infection by being diligent in relation to hand hygiene."
