A male patient in his 70s has died from blood poisoning after being infected with intestinal bacteria at a hospital in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, hospital officials said Tuesday.

Six other patients at Nippon Medical School Hospital were also infected with intestinal bacteria last month, most likely while receiving intravenous drips, the officials said.

Hospital officials said they suspect the bacteria was mixed in when they prepared the intravenous drips.

, adding that they will further investigate the cause of the infection. he seven patients, who were all in the same ward, developed fevers on Aug. 21 and Aug 22, the officials said. The man died Aug. 24 from blood poisoning, but the six others are gradually recovering, they said.

Officials said they tested the blood of five of the six patients and detected the same kind of bacteria in three of the patients.

The intravenous drips were prepared at the nursing station on the ward, according to the hospital.

The bacteria, called enterobacter, is present in soil and sewage water, and can cause blood poisoning or peritonitis, symptoms of which include abdominal pain and vomiting.

The health ministry on Tuesday told hospitals nationwide to take steps against such infections and to report to authorities if similar cases have taken place in the past.