MRSA kills two in hospital

1 February 2007

BRUSSELS – MRSA  – bacteria resistant to antibiotics – has taken a heavy toll in the military hospital in Neder-over-Heembeek. Two of the six patients infected with the strain died.

This emerged from Defence Minister André Flahaut’s answer to questions in parliament from MP Hilde Dierickx (VLD).

The minister confirmed that the extremely aggressive bacteria Actinobacter was discovered in an Algerian patient who had been admitted to intensive care. The patient has since died.

Flahaut says that the medical team followed proper procedure. The intensive care unit was evacuated and decontaminated by a specialised company.

Despite the precautions six others became infected. Two patients are still under hospital care, two others have been discharged, and two have died.

[Copyright Expatica 2007]

Subject: Belgian news