It has emerged that a virulent new strain of MRSA is now present in Ireland.
Documents obtained by Nuacht TG4 through the Freedom of Information Act show that six positive cases of PVL, a potentially deadly toxin linked to the superbug MRSA, were detected in Dublin hospitals in July 2004.
PVL attacks and kills the body's white blood cells that normally fight infections.
Skin infections, blood poisoning and necrotising pneumonia can result.
A letter sent from the National MRSA Reference Laboratory (NMRSARL) to the Principal Officer of the Dept of Health and Children, Brian Mullen, gives details of the infections.
It read: 'In July 2004, two patients attending the Accident and Emergency Department of one Dublin Hospital and specimens from a child and three family members attending another hospital were found to carry PVL-positive MRSA.'
The cases were already acquired in the community before the patients entered hospital.
The letter, which was signed by Dr Brian O'Connell, Director of NMRSARL, and Dr Angela Rossney, Chief Medical Scientist, states that the cases were detected while conducting a grant-aided assessment of the prevalence of PVL in Ireland.
They say that the NMRSARL does not as yet have the resources to offer PVL detection as a routine service but hope that such a service could be implemented in time.
