Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of cases of MRSA in each of the past four years and to date in 2006; the number of fatalities attributable to MRSA; the steps which are being taken to reduce the incidence of MRSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29536/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) collects data on MRSA bacteraemia (also known as bloodstream infection or "blood poisoning") as part of the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS). EARSS collects data on the first episode of blood stream infection per patient per quarter. The Irish data for EARSS, which is published on a quarterly basis by the HPSC, showed that there were 445 cases in 2002, 480 cases in 2003, 553 cases in 2004, 586 cases in 2005 and 127 reported cases in the 1st Quarter of 2006.

It is difficult to identify the number of fatalities attributable to MRSA as many people also have significant co-morbidity factors.

This year, Ireland is participating in the Hospital Infection Society's "Prevalence Survey of Health Care Associated Infections" in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The survey will provide accurate and comparable data on the prevalence of Health Care Associated Infections (including MRSA) in acute hospitals in Ireland. The data gathered from hospitals can also be compared with similar data being obtained in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The results will be available in October.

The control of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) including MRSA continues to be a priority for the HSE. Measures to control the emergence and spread of HCAIs are necessary because there are fewer options available for the treatment of resistant infections and because these strains spread amongst vulnerable at-risk patients. The prudent use of antibiotics underpins any approach to the control of antibiotic resistant bacteria, including MRSA. This, together with good professional practice and routine infection control precautions, such as hand hygiene, constitute the major measures in controlling and preventing healthcare-associated infection, including that caused by MRSA, both in hospital and in community health care units.

The implementation of the revised SARI Guidelines on the control and prevention of MRSA in hospitals and in the community, the "Clean Hands Campaign", the National Hygiene Audits and the development of national standards in relation to infection control and hospital hygiene are also aimed at addressing the challenges presented by HCAIs.