13 infants at KKH, NUH were given bacteria-tainted Dumex milk formula; most reported to be well

SINGAPORE — Thirteen infants may have been fed the bacteria-tainted Dumex milk formula at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and the National University Hospital (NUH), said the hospitals in response to media queries.

Most of the infants, who were admitted between Aug 1 and Aug 20, are reported to be well.

On Monday, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority recalled a batch of Dumex Mamil Gold Infant Milk Formula — Step 1 (850g) after detecting the Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria in samples.

The affected batch, which carries the batch number 09117R1 and expires Sept 11, 2019, originated from Malaysia.

While Cronobacter infections are rare, they can be fatal when associated with serious infections such as meningitis in infants.

Two public hospitals were reported to have fed infants less than six months old the tainted milk formula, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Tuesday (Aug 21).

Responding to TODAY on Thursday, a KKH spokesperson said 12 infants were given the tainted formula. It has managed to contact all of the 12 caregivers, and the infants are "reported to be well".

"Our team of medical specialists is on standby to provide care and support where necessary," the spokesperson added.

KKH is closely monitoring the situation. The hospital has since removed all tins of the implicated batch of formula, and has stopped using this brand of milk powder.

The spokesperson added: "Our top priority is the health of the babies. Should they have symptoms such as fever, poor feeding or lethargy, or if the infant feels unwell, parents and caregivers should immediately consult a doctor."

Over at NUH, its spokesperson told TODAY on Wednesday said the formula was "immediately removed" on Tuesday. It is reviewing its patient records, and said one infant may have consumed the tainted product.

"The parent has been advised to monitor his child's condition and seek treatment if there are symptoms," she added. "To date, we have not received any reports of our NUH young patients experiencing any symptoms related to this recalled product."

No other public hospital is affected. Private players Mount Alvernia Hospital, Thomson Medical Centre and the hospitals under Parkway Pantai, such as Mount Elizabeth Novena, are also not affected.

Earlier, the MOH said no case of Cronobacter infection associated with consumption of formula milk has been reported this year.

Parents and caregivers of infants who have consumed the affected batch of formula should seek immediate medical treatment if their infant becomes unwell, the ministry added.

Infants with Cronobacter infection may show symptoms such as fever, crying, poor feeding or lethargy, and some may also develop seizures. The incubation period ranges from four to nine days, but could be up to 21 days.

Cronobacter infection can be treated with antibiotics. 

CLARIFICATION: In an earlier version of this story, it was reported that 13 infants were fed the bacteria-tainted Dumex milk formula at KKH. The hospital has clarified that 12 infants were given milk formula from the affected batch. The story has been updated. 

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