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3 babies test positive for bacteria at Maryland hospital

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UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) - A Maryland hospital confirms that three neonatal intensive care unit patients have tested positive for potentially deadly bacteria, leading the hospital to shut down the unit and transfer infants to other hospitals.

Prince George's Hospital Center said Tuesday that nine NICU patients have been transferred to other hospitals while officials investigate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the bacteria, Pseudomonas, can lead to severe illness and death for people with compromised immune systems.

Hospital spokeswoman Delores Butler would not say whether any infants had died as a result of their exposure to the bacteria.

The hospital said in a statement that the NICU is the only unit where patients have tested positive for the bacteria.