Public health emergency declared after rise of superbug

A public health emergency has been declared to combat the spread of a potentially lethal superbug detected in 306 patients to the end of September, writes Catherine Shanahan.

CPE (carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae), also referred to as carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE), is the newest in a long line of superbugs or bacteria that are almost impossible to kill with antibiotics and particularly problematic in hospital settings.