A Des Moines hospital is going ahead with plans to limit visitors to its birthing unit and pediatrics wings because of concerns about swine flu.
Mercy Medical Center says starting next week, no more than two visitors at a time will be allowed to visit patients in those areas. No children under 14 may visit either unless they are siblings of a newborn.
The hospital says staff will talk to visitors about special precautions for the HINI flu.
Pregnant woman and newborns are among the most susceptible to serious complications from the virus. Children and young adults also are more susceptible.
The city's other main hospital company, Iowa Health-Des Moines, has not yet instituted tougher visiting policies for its birthing centers.
