Harney: Poor hygiene not to blame for C-Diff. outbreak

Health Minister Mary Harney has said she does not believe poor hygiene is to blame for the outbreak of C-Difficile at a Co Louth hospital.

Visitor restrictions remain in place today at Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda, which has been forced to close three wards.

The HSE says there are 11 confirmed cases of the infection - while a further 22 patients are showing symptoms of the superbug.

Minister Harney says while she is concerned by the outbreak the standard of hygiene in Irish hospitals has greatly improved:

"C-Diff and other infections are common to the best hospitals in the world and not unique to any particular type of hospital" she said.

"Sometimes they can be brought in when people come in from outside the hospital - I don't know the precise reason why there's been an outbreak in Drogheda, I await a report in relation to that matter".

"But I am satisfied that we have in place hygiene standards now that are among the best in the world and we have an independent body to implement them" she added.