Four more patients test positive for strep A

Four more people at Christchurch's Princess Margaret Hospital are infected with the deadly bug which has killed three people since September 29, tests have revealed.

Up to 60 staff and patients of the hospital's Ward 3A were tested for streptococcal A after three elderly patients died as a result of a virulent strain of the bacteria.

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) confirmed yesterday that in at least one of the fatal cases, the infection had transformed into necrotising fasciitis, an aggressive bug that destroys skin and muscle, and leads to blood poisoning and organ failure.

The ward was closed to new admissions on Friday when the third death occurred.

The four people whose throat swabs tested positive for strep A have been treated with antibiotics, and are not expected to fall ill, the Press newspaper reported today.

CDHB would not say whether the people who tested positive were patients or staff.

Necrotising fasciitis causes painful blisters which spread over the body.

All affected flesh must be removed to halt the bacteria, and sometimes amputation is necessary to save a patient's life.

The disease can be passed from an opening in the skin as small as a pinprick.

Acting clinical director of older persons health, Jeff Kirwan, said the biggest concern for staff had been those patients who had open wounds.

"Thankfully, none of the tests from these patients have come back positive for strep A," he told the Press.

Older Persons Health general manager Vince Barry said the victims of the bug had died with completely different clinical circumstances.

The ward had not been closed sooner because there was no suggestion of a link until the third death, Mr Barry told the newspaper.

- NZPA