Super Bugs from farm animals found in humans in UK for first time
Pastor Dale Morgan
Super Bugs from farm animals found in humans in UK for first time*
By Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 12:51AM BST 03/06/2008
Three people have been infected with a form of MRSA Superbug usually
found in pigs, the first time any humans in Britain have been infected
by an animal strain of the superbug.
The variation has been found in farm animals and humans on the
Continent, causing serious heart, bone, blood and skin diseases, as well
as pneumonia.
Dr Giles Edwards, the director of the Scottish MRSA Reference
Laboratory, said three people in Scotland had contracted the strain,
known as ST398, in recent months.
"A lot of the patients who got this infection in Holland and Canada have
been people who work with animals, such as farmers and vets. But none of
the three individuals in Scotland have been in contact with animals, not
that we could find."
All three patients have recovered, he added.
The Soil Association, the organic food charity, called on the Government
to step up its testing for farm animals, pointing out that this strain
is just as deadly and infectious as that found in hospitals.
An EU survey to assess MRSA among British pigs is due to conclude in
December.