Recent E. Sakazakii Death and Near-Death Prompts Commentary
The Star-Gazette in Elmira, NY carries a timely commentary by Norma Ritter (right) on behalf of the La Leche League on the danger of Enterobacter Sakazakii in a first world country like the United States. Her comments come in response to these two terrible incidents:
- On Dec. 2, the New Mexico Health Department reported that one baby died and another was hospitalized because of infections caused by different strains of the bacteria Enterobacter sakazakii. (We reported on the death here.) Both babies had been fed powdered formula, which the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control says has been associated with contaminated powdered formula products.
- On Nov. 25, a 5-month-old baby, weighing only 8 pounds, 6 ounces, almost died from water intoxication and malnourishment. His mother had been using water to dilute the formula she got each month through the Women, Infants and Children program. She could not afford the $16 to $18 for each of the additional five to seven cans the baby needed.
She also ties in some pointed comment on the melamine scandal and our government's response to it. Check out what she has to say here.
