Published: Tuesday, 27th May, 2008 10:30
Superbug fears after Vale death
By Mike Farrell
Print Article
A superbug outbreak at the Vale hospital — which has led to of the death of a — has caused alarm in the area.
Two people were infected with Clostridium difficile, or C-diff as the deadly bug is commonly known, which is now linked to a third case at the Royal Alexandria Hospital (RAH).
It appears the outbreak started at the Vale where two people were infected by the bacteria, which causes severe diarrhoea and fever.
After one of the patients died the other one was moved to the RAH in Paisley, where the third person — possibly a staff member — also contracted the infection.
The patient died in March and the third case was discovered in April, but NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) health board only revealed the news last week.
In doing so GGC has reassured the public that all necessary action is being taken to control the infection, which although not often fatal, is extremely contagious.
The Reporter understands that the C-diff victim was a woman in her 90s, although the GGC would not confirm or deny this. The superbug is found in around one in 50 adults, who often show no symptoms of carrying it.
Tom Walsh, infection control manager for GGC, said: “We continue to adhere to our strict infection control procedures — I would like to reassure patients that we are taking all the necessary measures required.”
Read the full story in this week's Reporter
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