The number of patients found to have MRSA bloodstream infections in hospitals across the State rose to 586 last year. This was 33 more cases than were reported in 2004.
The figures, which are collected by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, have been released in response to a Dáil question put to Minister for Health Mary Harney. She was asked by Kildare South Labour TD Jack Wall for the most recent figures for cases of MRSA in the past four years and to date in 2006; the number of fatalities attributable to MRSA; and the steps which are being taken to reduce its incidence.
Ms Harney said there were 480 cases of MRSA reported in 2003 and 445 in 2002, but that data for the first quarter of this year was not yet available.
"It is difficult to identify the number of fatalities attributable to MRSA as many people also have significant co-morbidity factors," she said. She added that the control of hospital-acquired infections including MRSA continued to be a priority for the Health Service Executive.
Furthermore, she said a survey was under way which would provide "accurate and comparable data" on the prevalence of health-care associated infections in acute hospitals in the State, and that this information would be compared with similar data from hospitals in the UK. "The data is being analysed over the summer and the results should be available in October/November."
MRSA, or methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, is commonly found on the skin and many people suffer no ill effects from it. However, if it gets into the bloodstream the consequences can be fatal.