Call to reveal source of MRSA

THE people of Letterkenny are demanding to know the source of the MRSA outbreak that has affected at least three babies — and led to the screening of babies born in the hospital in the past fortnight.

The MRSA and Families Network says it fears the number of infected babies has risen to five.

The HSE confirmed that more mothers and parents have been contacted in the past few days for screening. It had been reported that all babies born in the past fortnight and their mothers have been called back to the hospital as a precaution.

However, the HSE denied that there was a blanket recall of newborns.

“As a precautionary measure the hospital has contacted some other mothers whose babies were born in Letterkenny General Hospital to organise screening of both themselves and their babies.”

Hospital management is aware of the source of the infection but will not reveal it to the public.

Chairwoman of the Letterkenny branch of MRSA and Families, Rosemary Cassidy, said the outbreak was “of great concern” and that a growing number of babies nationwide are contracting the antibiotic resistant illness.

She also said that two more babies born in June had contracted the MRSA infection.

“The management won’t tell us where it’s coming from but we feel that people should have a right to know... The source has to be divulged,” she said.

“Our concern is that this is not a one-off. How do we know if proper precautions are being taken to stop it if the hospital isn’t honest with us?”

There has been an increased emphasis on cleaning since the outbreak was confirmed, according to the HSE. In a statement yesterday, they said: “From time to time, babies test positive for MRSA and are managed appropriately at the time — on this occasion three babies tested positive for MRSA in a short timeframe and that is what led to the measures that were put in place.”

Letterkenny Hospital has long refused to divulge the extent of its MRSA problem.