Number of patients contracting super bug 'declines'

Number of patients contracting super bug 'declines'

The Mid-Western Health Board (MWHB) also dismissed claims that it was trying to cover up the true incidence of MRSA.

Director of public health Dr Kevin Kelleher said: "The rate of MRSA in this region is no different from the national average rate in Ireland and all the indications are that it is falling. We published our figures where other regions failed to do so, but it is reassuring that the rates are falling despite the fact that we have been given insufficient funds by the Department of Health." The MWHB also called for a new method of data assessment to give an accurate picture of the prevalence of MRSA nationwide and ease fears.

MRSA is a bug found in human skin and it does most damage when it infects wounds and even more so when found in the bloodstream. It is estimated that a third of the population is likely to have one of the variants on their skin at any one time.

Dr Kelleher said the number of cases in the mid-west fell from 39 in 2002 to 35 last year. Preliminary data for 2004 estimates that the MRSA rate in the region will be similar to the rate seen last year. He said the MWHB would remain up front on the situation regarding MRSA.

He said the present allocation of €375,000 given to the board to tackle the problem for the current year was totally inadequate.