KEY POINTS:
Another 15 patients were infected by a killer superbug at Auckland hospital last month, bringing the total number of cases to 65.
Hospital spokeswoman Jessamy Malcolm said 17 patients were being closely watched but the vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) outbreak had been contained.
"We have ongoing screening of all new admissions to adult services," she said. "Once we have permanently stabilised VRE we will go to active surveillance in high-risk groups."
Documents obtained by the Herald on Sunday under the Official Information Act reveal the hospital knew about the outbreak in July but did not inform the public. They also show there were two strains in different parts of the hospital.
The hospital confirmed the outbreak in late October after conceding three patients who died had been infected. It said VRE played no real part in their deaths.
One, 62-year-old Aucklander Jacqueline Hooton, died from what was described as "excess bleeding" after being infected by the bug.
At the time, her family told the Herald on Sunday her cancer operation was a success. Auckland District Health Board chief medical officer David Sage said her infection with the bug did not cause her death.
This week Malcolm reiterated that VRE had no role to play in any patient's death. She said the medical team in charge handled the outbreak responsibly by informing all patients and staff once it became apparent they were not dealing with an isolated case.
"Everyone who needed to be told was told. It was safe for people to still come to the hospital, and it was important that people continued to come to get the treatment they required."
VRE is caused by a common bowel bacteria that is harmless unless it gets into the bloodstream.
It can spread easily, and anyone who comes into contact could become a carrier.
The most common way of being exposed is through contact with furniture such as railings, drinking taps and handles which have been contaminated by a carrier.
It can be deadly if not treated.
The first New Zealand case of the superbug was in 1996 and up to 5 per cent of the population may be carriers. Symptoms include fever and feeling unwell.
It is most likely to affect patients who are critically ill, have poor immune systems or who have been in hospital for a long time. It is one of the most dangerous superbugs.
