An antibiotic-resistant infection has surfaced at a prominent hospital in Northern Ireland. The Belfast Trust has acknowledged collaborating with the Public Health Agency to address the outbreak of a Carbapenemase-Producing Organism (CPO) at Royal Victoria Hospital.
CPOs are resilient bacteria that generate enzymes capable of dismantling carbapenem antibiotics. The infection spreads through direct person-to-person contact via contaminated hands, medical devices, or surfaces.
The initial case of CPO at Royal Victoria Hospital was identified on April 28, with the outbreak officially declared two days later on April 30. Patients who have undergone extensive antibiotic treatments are at a higher risk of contracting a CPO, as reported by Belfast Live.
Stringent infection control procedures and enhanced cleaning practices have been put into effect at the hospital. The Trust is collaborating with the Public Health Agency and communicating with families of affected patients.
Individuals testing positive for CPO will receive care in isolated rooms equipped with necessary facilities. Healthcare workers attending to CPO patients will be mandated to wear protective gear like gloves, aprons, or gowns.
A spokesperson from Belfast Trust stated, “Belfast Trust is actively managing a CPO outbreak at Royal Victoria Hospital with guidance from the Public Health Agency on infection prevention and control. A limited number of patients in the Medical Specialities and Unscheduled Care Division have been identified with CPO.”
The Trust is liaising with the families of all impacted patients and has implemented appropriate outbreak control measures. There have been no reported fatalities or severe illnesses directly linked to this specific CPO strain.