Staffordshire hospital battles resistant superbug

By Michele Paduano BBC West Midlands health correspondent

The infections were almost all on a kidney ward at the hospital

A strain of superbug unique to Staffordshire has killed a kidney patient and infected at least seven others, the BBC has learned.

Klebsiella pneumoniae affected 13 patients on Ward 29 at University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

The dead patient and seven others, developed a resistant strain of the disease.

A hospital spokesman said: "Eight [patients] have a new strain that has not been seen elsewhere."

It is understood the infection was contained by late February with 13 cases still being treated.

'Highly contagious'

Hospital microbiologist George Orendi said was surprised by the contagious nature of Klebsiella.

He said: "What makes it of concern is the number of patients that we have found with the resistant strain.

"It is transmitted between patients. This particular type has not been seen elsewhere."

The hospital has cleaned ward 29 to intensive care standards and all patients on the ward, which is used for kidney patients, are now being screened weekly for Klebsiella.

Health professionals say the strain of superbug to which Klebsiella belongs is capable of adapting far more quickly than MRSA.

A University Hospital of North Staffordshire spokesperson said: "Various different strains have been identified in the 13 cases currently at University Hospital.

"Eight have a new strain that has not been seen elsewhere.

"One of the patients who developed the infection had a number of other serious conditions and has subsequently died."