MRSA 'superbug' outbreak restricts visitors to QEH

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown has visitor restrictions in place for patients on Unit 8 due to an outbreak of the superbug MRSA.

Health P.E.I. said a higher than normal number of patients tested positive for the bacteria.

Immediate family are the only ones allowed to visit, patients are restricted to just two visitors at a time, and visits must be kept to under 15 minutes.

It is extremely important that everyone coming to the hospital, including visitors and persons coming in for tests, x-rays or ambulatory procedures clean their hands before and after entering a patients room, a department, and upon entering and leaving the facility. Alcohol hand rinse stations are available throughout the building for this purpose, said Darlene Gillis, hospital spokesperson.

MRSA or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is part of a deadly class of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The symptoms of the MRSA infection depend on what part of the body is infected. MRSA usually causes only mild infections, but it can progress to large boils, hemorrhagic pneumonia or flesh-eating disease in rare cases.

In some cases the infection can be fatal.

Patients testing positive for the infection are being isolated, and staff have heightened infection control measures, including extra cleaning.