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AAP September 15, 2009, 5:04 pm
- A superbug bacterium resistant to antibiotics has been detected at a Darwin hospital, according to Northern Territory health authorities.
Following the outbreak at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH), the NT department of Health and Families on Tuesday said cleaning teams were making their way through the wards.
RDH general manager Len Notaras said VRE bacteria has developed a resistance to commonly used antibiotic treatments and is easily spread.
Renal and intensive care patients are at highest risk, as well as people who have been on different types of antibiotics.
"The safety of our patients is paramount and we are doing everything possible to limit any possible spread of these bacteria," he said in a statement.
"RDH will continue to implement required actions until the current situation is resolved."
Dr Notaras said VRE bacteria could be carried "quite harmlessly" by up to two per cent of the general population.
"(But) its presence amongst high-risk patients who have become resistant to the vancomycin antibiotic could seriously compromise their health," he said.
"And (in) somebody who is at risk, yes it can certainly kill."
Stringent measures are being implemented at RDH to manage the situation in accordance with Infection Control Policy.
"All patients who may have come into contact with the known cases are being screened for VRE," said Dr Notaras.
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