Iraq war causes superbug epidemy in British hospitals

Blair and Iraq war, cartoon by Steve Bell

Injured soldiers returning from Iraq have brought back a superbug that has been linked with outbreaks in NHS hospitals where they have been treated, a health minister has confirmed.

The links between casualties brought back from Iraq and outbreaks in the NHS have caused alarm within the health service and led to renewed demands for more dedicated wards for Britain’s armed forces to enable wounded soldiers to be isolated more effectively.

Last month’s edition of the Medical Journal of Australia provided a new warning that a virulent strain of a hospital-acquired bacterial infection, responsible for the deaths of at least 2,000 patients in Canada in 2003-2004, had arrived in Australia: here.

The deadly outbreak of Ecoli spreading through Europe is caused by a new strain of the bacteria never seen before, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said today: here.

A further 94 people have been made ill by the deadliest E coli outbreak in modern history, Germany’s national disease control centre announced today: here.

Thousands sickened, dozens dead in E. coli outbreak in Germany: here.

CHECK YOUR MEAT Over 167,427 pounds of meat from Omaha-based All American Meats, Inc that was shipped nationwide is being recalled for E. Coli concerns. [Kate Bratskeir, HuffPost]

Starbucks has pulled its turkey sandwiches over an E. Coli scare.