Fatal baby bacteria spreads to Ulster hospital Pseudomonas has claimed the lives of three babies at the Royal Jubilee maternity hospital in Belfast and one in Derry's Altnagelvin hospital. Another Northern Ireland hospital has reported an outbreak of the bacteria that has led to the death of four babies. The pseudomonas bacteria has been found in the Ulster hospital on the eastern outskirts of Belfast, the Department of Health confirmed on Sunday. It said the bug was detected in water outlets in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Ulster hospital. The Department of Heath said none of the babies in the unit has tested positive for the infection but screening is ongoing. Separate outbreaks of pseudomonas claimed the life of one baby in Altnagelvin hospital in Derry last month and three babies at the Royal Jubilee maternity hospital in Belfast recently. Seven more babies in the province remain infected by pseudomonas. Staff in hospitals have been told to avoid using tap water with babies, while tests on water outlets and necessary refits are carried out. In a statement, the Department of Health said all necessary precautions were being taken to avoid the spread of the latest infection. "A carefully planned programme is under way to ensure that all appropriate control measures are in place across all trusts to minimise the risk of Pseudomonas," the statement said. An ongoing programme of testing water and replacement of taps in the neonatal intensive care units in all trusts has commenced and will be completed as soon as possible. Until this programme has been completed, tap water will not be used directly with the babies. All staff will continue to use alcohol hand gel following hand washing. It is important also that the public continues to follow good hygiene practice when visiting hospitals.