This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6188801.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
MRSA strain kills two in hospital MRSA strain kills two in hospital
(24 minutes later)
A strain of MRSA that has never caused deaths in hospitals has killed two people, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).A strain of MRSA that has never caused deaths in hospitals has killed two people, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
After a healthcare worker died in September, it emerged that a form of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) MRSA had also claimed a patient's life.After a healthcare worker died in September, it emerged that a form of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) MRSA had also claimed a patient's life.
The strain attacks white blood cells and sufferers cannot fight infection.The strain attacks white blood cells and sufferers cannot fight infection.
An investigation at the unnamed West Midlands hospital found six other people also contracted the strain. Six other people have also contracted the strain at University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent.
Four of the eight affected developing an infection, according to the agency.
Two of those infected died.
Hospital-associated strains of MRSA, which are more commonly known and do not produce PVL, normally affect more elderly hospitalised patients.Hospital-associated strains of MRSA, which are more commonly known and do not produce PVL, normally affect more elderly hospitalised patients.
The HPA said the PVL strain has been seen in the UK before.The HPA said the PVL strain has been seen in the UK before.
There were 13 cases of this strain of PVL positive MRSA (PVL+MRSA) in England and Wales in the community in 2005, but all were skin and soft-tissue infections.There were 13 cases of this strain of PVL positive MRSA (PVL+MRSA) in England and Wales in the community in 2005, but all were skin and soft-tissue infections.
There have also been five deaths linked to other forms of PVL+ MRSA in the UK over the last two years.There have also been five deaths linked to other forms of PVL+ MRSA in the UK over the last two years.
Marine Richard Campbell-Smith, 18, cut a leg in training and died after becoming infected with a form of PVL in 2004.Marine Richard Campbell-Smith, 18, cut a leg in training and died after becoming infected with a form of PVL in 2004.
A 28-year-old woman also died from a form of the infection after picking up the bug in her local gym.A 28-year-old woman also died from a form of the infection after picking up the bug in her local gym.
'First time''First time'
In a statement, the HPA said: "PVL-producing strains of MRSA have been seen in the UK before - however, the small numbers of cases reported have usually been in the community rather than a hospital setting.In a statement, the HPA said: "PVL-producing strains of MRSA have been seen in the UK before - however, the small numbers of cases reported have usually been in the community rather than a hospital setting.
"This outbreak is the first time transmission and deaths due to this strain are known to have occurred in a healthcare setting in England and Wales.""This outbreak is the first time transmission and deaths due to this strain are known to have occurred in a healthcare setting in England and Wales."
The agency identified those affected as being "among individuals in a hospital and their close household contacts in the West Midlands".The agency identified those affected as being "among individuals in a hospital and their close household contacts in the West Midlands".
However, the HPA did not identify the hospital involved.
The agency only covers England and Wales.The agency only covers England and Wales.
Dr Angela Kearns, an MRSA expert with the HPA, said: "When people contract PVL-producing strains of MRSA, they usually experience a skin infection such as a boil or abscess.Dr Angela Kearns, an MRSA expert with the HPA, said: "When people contract PVL-producing strains of MRSA, they usually experience a skin infection such as a boil or abscess.
"Most infections can be treated successfully with everyday antibiotics but occasionally a more severe infection may occur."Most infections can be treated successfully with everyday antibiotics but occasionally a more severe infection may occur.
"The HPA is advising the hospital on outbreak control measures, and will continue to monitor MRSA infection nationally.""The HPA is advising the hospital on outbreak control measures, and will continue to monitor MRSA infection nationally."