LEVELS of a superbug infection are back on track, after a summer surge had caused consternation among health chiefs.
Latest figures put before the board of NHS East and North Hertfordshire – the brand name of the PCT – show the number of recorded cases of C.diff – clostridium difficile – in August and September had returned to below the monthly target of 18 or 19.
In July the number of cases was 30 – 50 per cent above target – which PCT bosses at the time stated was a “cause for concern”.
Levels had been above target in the previous two months as well.
C.diff is a bacterium found naturally in the gut and does not cause problems in healthy people. But, when the balance of bacteria in the gut is affected by illness or antibiotics, C.diff bacteria can multiply and cause symptons such as diarrhoea and fever.
The PCT’s statistics cover all patients in east and north Hertfordshire regardless of where they’ve contracted the superbug, such as hospitals (both in and out of the catchment area), GP surgeries or at home.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here