Virus attacks three more

The new cases bring the total to six such persons afflicted with the illness. In a media statement yesterday, the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), stated that the new cases were discovered during screening among patients and staff over the past few weeks.

Last month, three nurses attached to ward six tested positive for MRSA. This was determined after swab tests were conducted on all members of staff on the ward. MRSA is a bacterium usually found on the skin and or in the nose of healthy people. It is spread via abrasions, cuts, wounds, surgical incisions or via catheters (a tube inserted into the body). The illness is common at hospitals. The symptoms are pimples or boils on the body. Antibiotics are normally administered to treat the infection.

SWRHA stated that “occurrence of these cases should not be cause for alarm among the general public. This type of infection is quite common in most health institutions.” The authority, however, warned that a small number of cases cannot be classified as an outbreak and dispelled rumours that there was an outbreak. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, SFGH medical Chief of Staff Dr Austin Trinidade, said, “What we are doing right now is that we are able to screen for the virus by using nasal swabs.” He said that staff members were carriers of the virus, but urged the population not to panic.

SWRHA Communications Specialist Nalini Parasam described the virus as “quite common,” saying the Authority was moving swiftly to ensure the proper treatment was administered and the virusbrought under control.