HSE to publish report into Ennis superbug outbreak

The HSE is due to publish a report today into an outbreak of the clostridium difficile superbug at Ennis Hospital in Co Clare last year.

The report was commissioned following 15 deaths in the hospital during the outbreak in the first six months of 2007.

C-diff was found in the bodies of all patients, but the HSE's investigation has reportedly found that none of them died as a direct result of the infection.

In some cases, however, it has been quoted as a contributory factor

In a statement last night, the HSE said it was contacting patients and families affected by C-diff and insisted there was no issue with the superbug in Ennis at present.