Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to reports from the UK on the superbug C difficile which can cause severe illness and death in patients who have undergone surgery and is at unprecedented levels there and with experts warning that it is more of a danger than MRSA; the position in relation to this superbug here; the plans in place to deal with it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35448/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department is aware of these UK reports and the findings in relation to Clostridium difficile.

Clostridium difficile is not a notifiable disease and as a result it is difficult to quantify the extent of infection in the heath care system. However, Clostridium difficile infection was examined in The Third Prevalence Survey of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) in acute hospitals in 2006. The survey found that thirty six patients had Clostridium difficile infection representing 0.5% of patients studied. Clostridium difficile infection increases with age and is eight times more common in patients over 65 years compared to those under the age of 65 years. The emergence of more virulent strains of Clostridium difficile which is partly due to over use of antibiotics underlines the importance of strict antibiotic stewardship in our health care system.

Clostridium difficile is one of the HCAIs and as such, the identification, surveillance and control is comprehended within the Strategy for the control of Antimicrobial Resistance in Ireland (SARI) Strategy. SARI was launched in 2001 and includes recommendations such as hospital hygiene practice, appropriate antibiotic prescribing, active surveillance for the detection of HCAIs, and corporate/clinical governance structures in the area of infection control. The HSE will shortly publish a three year Action Plan which will set targets in this important area.