The revelation that another potentially deadly superbug is present in our
hospitals will cause panic among some sections of the public.
Over 200 patients in Northern Ireland have been struck down with the microbe
called Steno, according to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre for
Northern Ireland.
Experts in England this week added Steno to what they describe as the
'ever-increasing list of antibiotic-resistant hospital superbugs'.
Worryingly, the list also includes MRSA and Clostridium Difficile.
Members of the public are already expressing alarm at what they perceive are
the 'dangers' of entering hospital for treatment and disclosures of this
nature merely serve to heighten their fears.
In an extensive poll published by the Belfast Telegraph this week on a wide
range of issues, hospital cleanliness was flagged up by the public as being
an issue of major concern.
Entering hospital is a traumatic enough time with patients having to worry
about picking up an infection which could cause serious illness or possible
death. The health authorities are well aware of the dangers and have warned
hospital workers — from senior medical staff to those whose job it is to
keep the wards and theatres clean and germ-free — that they must be vigilant
at all times. Visitors must play their part by abiding by the instructions
in hospital notices to wash their hands.
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