Babies diagnosed with MRSA in Letterkenny

The Health Service Executive confirmed today that three babies have tested positive for MRSA at Letterkenny General Hospital.

A statement from the HSE said that the hospital has contacted the families and GP's of the babies concerned and added that infection vontrol nurses and public health nurses are in contact with them.

"Staff at the Hospital have followed national and local best practice infection control guidelines to deal with this issue," said Dr Michael Mulherin, consultant microbiologist at Letterkenny General Hospital.

Dr Mulherin said that a number of measures have been taken, including specialist cleaning followed by testing of areas within the unit to seek to ensure they are free of MRSA and screening of patients and staff in the maternity unit.

"These measures have been taken with the aim of preventing any further cases of MRSA," said Dr Mulherin.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of a bacterium that has become resistant to treatment with antibiotics.

The bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, is often found on the skin of healthy individuals. It is estimated that 25-30 per cent of people have the bug living harmlessly on their skin.

Problems can occur when it gets under the surface, through a cut or graze.