Hospital in superbug outbreak inquiry
Published Date:
05 September 2008
By KURT BAYER
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched at a Scottish hospital after four patients contracted the E coli superbug.
The patients became ill during a stay at Ninewells hospital in Dundee last month and hospital bosses have confirmed they are investigating "a small number of cases" of the 0157 bug, a mutant form of E coli.
A total of 87 patients who stayed at Ninewells in August have been contacted, while around 50 members of staff have been notified of the outbreak and its symptoms.
E coli 0157 is a germ that can cause diarrhoea, sometimes with blood, sickness, vomiting, stomach pain and fever. The incubation period is usually up to 14 days, and in extreme cases, it can be fatal.
Dr Christopher McGuigan, NHS Tayside Consultant in Public Health Medicine, has
advised that if anyone has shown symptoms within 14 days of leaving either wards five or nine, they should go to see their own GP.
The full article contains 160 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
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Last Updated:
04 September 2008 9:52 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
