# IMSS neonatal death investigation in Durango

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/imss-neonatal-death-investigation-in-durango
> Updated: 2026-09-23T16:16:40.000Z. Sources: 56. Developments: 2.

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) is conducting a clinical and epidemiological investigation into the deaths of five newborns at the Hospital General de Zona No. 1 in Durango. The fatalities occurred in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between September 15 and September 19, 2026.

On September 23, Adriana Toriz Saldaña, the IMSS Epidemiological Surveillance Coordinator, confirmed that four of the five deceased infants tested positive for the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae. The fifth infant did not show the microorganism. While the bacteria was identified, authorities stated that its presence does not, by itself, explain the deaths, and they are still analyzing the direct causal relationship.

Of the 11 newborns treated in the NICU between September 1 and September 19, six have been discharged and tested negative for the bacteria. IMSS has expanded microbiological surveillance to all areas of the hospital, but the bacteria has not been detected outside of the NICU. Officials have also ruled out the contamination of medicines or cleaning supplies as the cause of the outbreak.

In response, the hospital implemented containment measures, including case isolation, intensive disinfection protocols, and a temporary restriction on new admissions to the NICU. Federal authorities, including Cofepris and the General Directorate of Epidemiology, are participating in the investigation.

Durango Governor Esteban Villegas Villarreal has criticized the management of the incident, alleging that information was kept “hermetic” and that state sanitary authorities were not provided with the infants’ medical files in a timely manner. Families of the deceased have expressed distrust, citing a lack of autopsies and insufficient information regarding the specific pathogen.

## Claims

- Five newborns died in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Hospital General de Zona No. 1 in Durango. (disputed by 26 sources)
- A bacteria sensitive to commonly available antibiotics was identified during clinical and epidemiological reviews. (corroborated by 25 sources)
- The presence of the bacteria does not alone explain the deaths based on available information. (corroborated by 25 sources)
- Containment measures include case isolation, restriction of new admissions, and deep cleaning and disinfection. (corroborated by 25 sources)
- Follow-up culture results have been negative as of September 20. (corroborated by 24 sources)
- The IMSS is conducting a comprehensive clinical and epidemiological review to determine the circumstances of each case. (corroborated by 24 sources)
- Four of the five newborns who died in the Durango hospital NICU tested positive for a bacteria. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- A causal relationship between the bacteria and the deaths has not yet been established. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- A total of 11 newborns were treated in the hospital's NICU between September 1 and September 19. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Six of the 11 newborns were discharged healthy and did not test positive for the bacteria. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Microbiological surveillance of other hospital areas has not detected the bacteria outside the NICU. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The Governor of Durango, Esteban Villegas Villarreal, stated that the state sanitary authority did not receive the medical files of the infants in a timely manner. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: IMSS confirms bacteria in four newborns deceased in Durango hospital

IMSS confirmed that four of five newborns who died in a Durango hospital NICU tested positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae. Investigations into a causal link are ongoing.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/imss-detects-bacteria-in-four-newborns-who-died-in-durango-hospital

### 2026-09-21: IMSS investigates five neonatal deaths in Durango hospital

IMSS is investigating the deaths of five newborns at a hospital in Durango, Mexico, following the detection of a bacteria in the neonatal unit. Authorities have restricted admissions while investigations into a

48 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/imss-investigates-deaths-of-five-newborns-in-durango-hospital

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Cite as: IMSS neonatal death investigation in Durango. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/imss-neonatal-death-investigation-in-durango