Patient dies after superbug strikes

Eight people – including the kidney patient who died – developed a resistant strain of ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase) Klebsiella at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. In total, 13 patients on a ward have been hit by various forms of the strain.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "A small cluster of cases of patients carrying a multi-resistant ESBL Klebsiella has recently been detected on an adult ward at University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

"Various different strains have been identified in the 13 cases currently at University Hospital. Eight have a new strain that has not been seen elsewhere."

Of the 13 cases, only two developed symptoms of the infection which can include septicaemia or pneumonia, he added.

The spokesman said: "The remaining 11 have been diagnosed as carriers and special measures have been put in place on the ward to protect them and other patients. One of the patients who developed the infection had a number of other serious conditions and has subsequently died."

Klebsiella belongs to the group of bacteria which normally colonise the gut, but they may cause urinary tract infection.

Patients have been isolated from other parts of the hospital as part of "infection control procedures", he added.

The spokesman said: "We have taken advice concerning the use of certain antibiotics on the ward until the outbreak has cleared. Measures have been taken to ensure the patients affected are isolated."

He said an enhanced cleaning programme had been undertaken since start of outbreak and was continuing.