PG Hospital Center closes NICU again after 2 babies test positive for bacteria

CHEVERLY, Md. - Prince George's Hospital Center has temporarily closed its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for the second time in three months, after two infants tested positive for bacterium Pseudomonas.

The hospital says five babies were transferred to other hospitals that have intensive care units.

In August, the hospital closed down its NICU and transferred nine babies in that unit to another hospital after three infants tested positive for Pseudomonas.

Pseudomonas is a bacterium that can cause infections in humans and can lead to illness in small babies with health challenges as well as other vulnerable patients.

In a statement, Prince George's Hospital Center said:

Prince George's Hospital Center is a publicly funded hospital. Construction for a new hospital will begin in 2017 and this hospital will be run by the University of Maryland medical system. Once the new hospital is opened, Prince George's Hospital will close, likely in 2020.

FOX 5 reached out to County Executive Rushern Baker's office for a comment. They said they are aware of the situation but had nothing more to say.