Pat's Note: In view of this comment,

"The network found that cases of MRSA occur more often in NSW than any
other Australian state or territory and is twice as likely to occur in
NSW than it is in South Australia or Western Australia."

the Australians should be determining whether it is St 398 and taking
a close look at the pig health in all three states.

There has been a good many conflicting about the presence and
non-presence of PMWS and/or associated diseases in various Australian
states. It is not easy to diagnose with complete confidence.

Personally, I think it is there, possibly in one of the less obvious
manifestations.

If they find mutated PMWS being treated by antibiotics in NSW, but not
in the other two, or perhaps occurring later in SA and WA, they should
immediately test all pig and pork workers at the hospital door.

The writer will be glad to offer any necessary assistance, in
confidence if necessary.

If there is a connection, lives can be saved very quickly with  cheap
easy and effective control measures.


http://news.smh.com.au/national/deadly-bacteria-found-in-3-nsw-hospitals-20080826-42zo.html

Deadly bacteria found in 3 NSW hospitals
Email Print Normal font Large font August 26, 2008 - 8:42PM

Three major Sydney hospitals have tested positive to the potentially
deadly golden staph bacteria.

Fairfield, Westmead and Concord public hospitals were each found to
have the bacteria, while Royal Prince Alfred and Royal North Shore
hospitals were cleared, Network Seven reported.

Infants, the elderly and patients with suppressed immune systems are
commonly the most susceptible to picking up the bacteria.

"It can increase the sickness and morbidity of the patient,"
University of NSW School of Public Health spokeswoman Mary-Louise
McLaws told Seven.

The bacteria can cause the disease Methicillin Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

The network found that cases of MRSA occur more often in NSW than any
other Australian state or territory and is twice as likely to occur in
NSW than it is in South Australia or Western Australia.

"It does cause people to die," College of Surgeons spokesman Richard
West said.

About 12 per cent of intensive care unit patients contract some kind
of infection during their hospital stay, Dr West said.

"... A number of them will die from the infection," he said.

Stopping the spread of golden staph can be as easy as ensuring
hospital staff wash their hands before making contact with patients.

"Patients should insist that doctors and nurses in the hospitals who
are attending to them wash their hands before they examine the
patients," Dr West said.

NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher declined network invitations to
comment on the matter.

-- 
Regards
Pat Gardiner
Release the results of testing British pigs for MRSA and C.Diff now!
www.go-self-sufficient.com  and http://animal-epidemics.blogspot.com/