Montreal, Calgary hospitals struggle to contain superbug

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Montreal and Calgary hospitals are currently facing significant outbreaks of Clostridium difficile infections, which have resulted in at least 79 deaths in Montreal and 10 in Calgary, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal. This superbug primarily affects the colon and is often contracted after antibiotic use, leading to severe symptoms and, in extreme cases, surgical interventions. Dr. Francoise Chagnon from the McGill University Health Centre contests the death toll, stating that only 36 fatalities have been confirmed among those infected. Health authorities delayed public notification to assess the outbreak's severity.

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MONTREAL - Several hospitals in both Montreal and Calgary are battling long-running outbreaks of a superbug.

Clostridium difficile infections target the colon, producing a toxin that can cause severe diarrhea and fever. It usually infects people after they've taken antibiotics. In serious cases, patients are forced to have their bowels or intestines removed.

At least 79 people in Montreal and 10 in Calgary may have died as a result, the Canadian Medical Association Journal said Friday. The patients in Montreal contracted the infection in 2003 or early 2004.

Dr. Francoise Chagnon, head of professional services at the McGill University Health Centre, disputes the figures. She said 36 died – three per cent of those infected with the bug. SARS killed 44 people in Canada.

Until Friday, health authorities had not informed the public about the hospital outbreaks, saying they wanted to evaluate the severity of the disease first

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/06/04/sci-tech/c_difficile040604
 
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Biology news on Phys.org
Super bug? the plauge was a super bug. The common cold kills more people than this doesn't it?

[edit] I mean that as a question, not trying to spite you or anything
 

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