Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Montreal+hospitals+fight+superbug/5318188/story.html
Montreal hospitals fight superbug
By Katherine Lalancette, The Gazette August 27, 2011
MONTREAL - A highly resistant bacterium is giving Montreal health officials quite a headache. The city?s hospitals are battling 21 outbreaks of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), a superbug causing severe blood infections and pneumonia.
In 2010, 39 outbreaks were recorded for the entire year. This year, it has taken only eight months to reach that number.
?What we?re realizing is that it still isn?t under control,? said Dr. Ren?e Par? of Montreal?s Public Health Department. ?But what?s reassuring is that the majority of outbreaks reported have few patients and are controlled relatively quickly.?
Managing VRE flare ups proves tricky as carriers don?t present any symptoms unless the bacterium has triggered an infection. This delay in detection can open the door to transmission, says Par?...
Montreal hospitals fight superbug
By Katherine Lalancette, The Gazette August 27, 2011
MONTREAL - A highly resistant bacterium is giving Montreal health officials quite a headache. The city?s hospitals are battling 21 outbreaks of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), a superbug causing severe blood infections and pneumonia.
In 2010, 39 outbreaks were recorded for the entire year. This year, it has taken only eight months to reach that number.
?What we?re realizing is that it still isn?t under control,? said Dr. Ren?e Par? of Montreal?s Public Health Department. ?But what?s reassuring is that the majority of outbreaks reported have few patients and are controlled relatively quickly.?
Managing VRE flare ups proves tricky as carriers don?t present any symptoms unless the bacterium has triggered an infection. This delay in detection can open the door to transmission, says Par?...