MRSA will be curbed, claims Harney

Health Minister Mary Harney has promised to take action to tackle the spread of the MRSA "superbug" in Irish hospitals and nursing homes.

In its annual report for 2003, the National Disease Surveillance Centre said Ireland had one of the highest rates of MRSA infections in the European Union.

Ms Harney insisted the proposed new Health Information and Equality Authority would improve hygiene standards and stop the spread of MRSA and the winter vomiting bug.

MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant infection mostly found in hospitals, where it is believed to have evolved.