Drug-resistant bacteria outbreak at Dordrecht hosp.; more patients tested

The Albert Schweitzer hospital in Dordrecht has had an outbreak of a drug resistant bacteria that has infected 15 people. The hospital has asked 900 patients to be tested for the bacteria. The bacteria involved is Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, or VRE, AD reports. This bacteria is harmless to healthy people, but can cause infections in people that are sick or weakened. "In most cases, nothing at all happens after infection, but one seriously weakened patient cannot get this infection. In the most serious case, someone may die." Frank van den Elsen, spokesperson for the hospital, explains. The hospital recently discovered the VRE-bacteria in one patient by chance and then in 7 other patients in the hospital. The hospital then decided to examine all other patients who may have come in contact with the bacteria in any way, both patients admitted to the hospital and people who visited. A total of 900 people have been asked to take the - completely voluntary - test and so far the number of infected has increased to 15. Patients that have been admitted to the hospital and have the bacteria are being cared for by special personnel who do not come into contact with any other patients.