Deaths of two patients probed in C Diff outbreak
Tuesday November 03 2009
A main hospital has closed its doors to new patients and visitors after a contagious outbreak.
Three wards have also been shut at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda in an attempt to stem the spread of the Clostridium difficile infection.
Ten patients have already tested positive for the bug while another 11 are showing symptoms, which can include diarrhoea and fever.
Health chiefs have cancelled any planned surgery at the Co Louth hospital until they bring the outbreak under control.
In a statement, the Health Service Executive (HSE) asked members of the public not to visit the hospital.
"If a visit is essential or unavoidable, the public are asked to telephone the hospital in advance to make arrangements," it said. "Also all elective admissions, including elective scopes, are cancelled until further notice."
C diff is contagious and spreads very easily but can usually be prevented with good hygiene.
Naturally present in humans, it does not cause problems for healthy people but can multiply out of control, particularly in people being treated with antibiotics - making hospitals susceptible to infection.
Most people make a full recovery, however, in rare cases, it can be fatal.
