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MRSA victim was nurse at hospital MRSA victim was nurse at hospital
(40 minutes later)
A nurse who died after giving birth at North Staffordshire Hospital was a victim of a deadly new strain of the superbug MRSA, it has been revealed.A nurse who died after giving birth at North Staffordshire Hospital was a victim of a deadly new strain of the superbug MRSA, it has been revealed.
Two people have died in the outbreak at the Stoke-on-Trent hospital from the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) strain of the bug.Two people have died in the outbreak at the Stoke-on-Trent hospital from the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) strain of the bug.
Maribel Espada, 33, who lived in the city, died on 26 September six days after giving birth at the hospital.Maribel Espada, 33, who lived in the city, died on 26 September six days after giving birth at the hospital.
The hospital said action had been taken to prevent the spread of the bug.The hospital said action had been taken to prevent the spread of the bug.
The PVL strain had not previously caused a hospital death.The PVL strain had not previously caused a hospital death.
Once identified this form of MRSA responds more readily to antibiotics than other more common forms of MRSA University Hospitals of North Staffordshire NHS TrustOnce identified this form of MRSA responds more readily to antibiotics than other more common forms of MRSA University Hospitals of North Staffordshire NHS Trust
Mrs Espada, who was originally from the Philippines, came to the UK and registered as a nurse four years ago.Mrs Espada, who was originally from the Philippines, came to the UK and registered as a nurse four years ago.
She was living with her husband in Sneyd Green in Stoke-on-Trent.She was living with her husband in Sneyd Green in Stoke-on-Trent.
The Health Protection Agency said it was investigating the possibility Mrs Espada caught PVL MRSA from a patient who died at the hospital in March.The Health Protection Agency said it was investigating the possibility Mrs Espada caught PVL MRSA from a patient who died at the hospital in March.
A spokesman for University Hospitals of North Staffordshire NHS Trust said all staff who had come in contact with the two people originally diagnosed with PVL MRSA had been screened by the hospital's infection control team.A spokesman for University Hospitals of North Staffordshire NHS Trust said all staff who had come in contact with the two people originally diagnosed with PVL MRSA had been screened by the hospital's infection control team.
A further nine cases were subsequently identified, of which only one was a patient, while a member of staff is still off work. Decontamination course
A further nine cases were subsequently identified, of which one was a former patient.
The eight other cases were either members of staff or people staff had come into contact with.
He said they had either received treatment or were undergoing treatment.
Any staff who had the bug underwent a course of decontamination and were screened for the infection.
Only after they had given three clear screenings were they allowed to return to duties. The spokesman added: "No current patients have been identified as affected.
'Taking advice''Taking advice'
He added: "No current patients have been identified as affected.
"All those affected have been informed and there is no need for any other patient to be concerned."All those affected have been informed and there is no need for any other patient to be concerned.
"Where screening swabs from members of staff are positive for this, or any other, strain of MRSA, they are being given decolonisation treatment and followed up by the occupational health department before returning to work.
"With the exception of one infection it is not clear at this stage whether transmission has occurred within the hospital or, as is more common, in the community which it serves."With the exception of one infection it is not clear at this stage whether transmission has occurred within the hospital or, as is more common, in the community which it serves.
"The hospital is continuing to take advice from the Health Protection Agency on management of the outbreak."The hospital is continuing to take advice from the Health Protection Agency on management of the outbreak.
"It is important to note that once identified this form of MRSA responds more readily to antibiotics than other more common forms of MRSA.""It is important to note that once identified this form of MRSA responds more readily to antibiotics than other more common forms of MRSA."