An outbreak of CPE at the region’s main hospital has prompted calls for a greater public awareness about deadly superbugs.
21 new cases of CPE have been detected since June, and three of those patients are currently isolated at University Hospital Limerick.
The bug can be picked up from surfaces or people’s hands – most people carrying the infection don’t experience symptons or illness, but if it its passed to vulnerable or sick patients at hospitals, it can have potentially fatal consequences.
The UL Hospitals Group says all necessary infection prevention and control measures have been implemented at the Dooradoyle facility, while strict visiting restrictions are in place.
Barefield Independent Councillor Ann Norton is a member of the HSE’s Regional Health Foum West – She’s been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill that part of the problem is that ordinary people don’t know enough about this type of bug.
Meanwhile, nurses say the level of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick is on the rise again today.
INMO figures show 43 patients were waiting for beds there this morning, 22 of those in the Emergency Department.
It’s much lower than the peak of 60 earlier this week but represents a jump on yesterday’s overall figure of 23.
