Hospital allows two patients with superbug home
This was the first outbreak of the potentially fatal, hospital-acquired bug in Irish hospitals.
However, the HSE has dismissed reports the superbug had infected patients at another health centre in the region.
Major fears were sparked when it emerged that a US health study claimed the bug was fatal for many patients who contracted it.
A spokesman for the HSE said last night five patients with the superbug were still being treated.
He said one is in a serious condition due to an underlying condition unrelated to the KPC. Three of the five were found to have KPC on their skin and two others had KPC infections.
Wards where the patients were diagnosed with the bug have undergone deep cleaning, with visiting hours restricted.
The Infections Control Committee at the Limerick hospital yesterday discussed the latest medical reports on the outbreak of the bug.
The HSE spokesman said strict hand hygiene protocols, in force at the hospital, was a major positive in dealing with the KPC outbreak.
When the outbreak became public a week ago, the HSE downplayed research from the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention which states KPC kills 40% of those it infects.
The spokesman said: “This research refers to patients who have a blood stream infection and almost certainly have a severe pre-existing condition. We have not had sufficient cases in Ireland to give an Irish picture.”
The seven patients stricken with the infection had been admitted with other illnesses which necessitated their hospitalisation.
KPC bacteria live in the skin, mouth and gut and can cause pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
Visiting restrictions were imposed for elderly, pregnant women, children and those with chronic conditions when the outbreak was confirmed.
