22 August 2007

EINDHOVEN – An MRSA epidemic has been declared in the De Weerde nursing home in Eindhoven.

11 residents and nine employees have been infected with the bacteria, a spokesperson for the nursing home said on Wednesday.

After a resident was found to be infected with the bacteria on 12 August, the institution tested other residents and carers working in the same ward. 19 of them appear to be infected.

The residents infected with MRSA have been kept isolated from the other residents since the infection was found. The infected workers have been treated but have now resumed their duties wearing protective clothing.

The infection seems to have been limited to a single ward.

MRSA does not pose any danger to healthy people, but it can slow down the healing process for patients with wounds, IVs, or poor health. They can become ill and, in extreme cases, even die from the infection.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2007]

Subject: Dutch news