18th October 2011

 Superbug linked to third death

Another private hospital patient has died following the outbreak of a highly resistant bacteria-producing enzyme several weeks ago. This brings to three the number of deaths partially caused by the bug and to 10 the number of patients who have contracted the superbug which surfaced at the Life Glynnwood Hospital in Benoni recently.

Hospital spokeswoman Marietjie Shelly confirmed the latest death on Monday.

“One of the three patients who were being treated in hospital last week has since passed away. This patient had been admitted to hospital some weeks earlier in a critical condition and NDM-1 cannot be singled out as the cause of death,” she said.

A 10th patient with suspected NDM-1 was confirmed on Friday night and three patients are under strict surveillance in a quarantined ward at the hospital.