Routine testing at the end of last week discovered the presence of vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE), a bowel bacteria often resistant to antibiotics.

To date, eight babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nursery have been detected with the disease, but the bacteria has not spread from their bowel to other parts of the body, which means they are not infected and have no symptoms of the illness.

However premature babies can be more susceptible to infection and the parents of one of the affected babies are concerned.

Phillip and Jessica Jackson's first child Grace was born three months premature.

She has been receiving treatment at Monash Children's Hospital since September 3 and doctors have confirmed that she is carrying the superbug.

Grace's father, a carpenter from Lakes Entrance, said during their long days at the hospital they had seen cleaners wiping down bins, benchtops and medical equipment with the same rag.

"Literally since the first day we got to the hospital we have been raising concerns about the cleanliness and hygiene," Mr Jackson said.

"But when you do say something, you are made to feel like you are rubbish on their boots."

Mr Jackson said he was very worried that Grace might become infected in the future.

"I hope and pray to God it doesn't happen," he said.

"If you will see her it will make you cry, she is just so fragile."

Monash Health confirmed that eight babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nursery wards were carrying VRE.

Associate Professor Rhonda Stuart, medical director of infection prevention, said the babies were immediately isolated and parents notified and counselled by senior doctors.

Professor Stuart said the babies who had VRE present in their gut were not unwell and that two of them had since been discharged.

She said additional cleaning resources had been introduced, to prevent the organism spreading.

"Our staff are trained in correct cleaning techniques using steam and microfibre technology," she said.

"The original source of VRE is difficult to establish as it is commonly present in hospitals across Australia and the world."

VRE was first identified in Australia in 1994 and is said to be a result of growing antibiotic resistance in the community. Symptoms of infection include fever, rapid pulse rate, redness and swelling.

Professor Ben Howden from the Doherty Institute said VRE was usually harmless, and only a small percentage of patients would later become infected.

However, between 20 per cent to 40 per cent of those infected patients could die, he said.

These people generally had a compromised immune system, due to chemotherapy, an organ transplant or an underlying serious illness.

Professor Howden said babies in neonatal wards were also at a higher risk of getting infections.

"They are very compromised in their immune systems and their ability to fight infection because they are often premature," Professor Howden said.

Australia has one of the highest rates of VRE in the world, however Professor Howden said the superbug was not always a reflection of poor infection control.

"We know we are winning with other superbugs, so this one is just very challenging," he said.

"It is a complex problem and even in good health systems VRE remains troublesome."