London continues to reduce levels of MRSA and Clostridium difficile

17 July 2008

The latest quarterly figures for MRSA bloodstream infections in London have shown a 35% decrease in cases during January - March 2008 compared to the same quarter in 2007. The figures also show a drop of 7% in cases from the previous quarter, from 196 cases during October - December 2007 to 182 in January - March 2008.

Clostridium difficile cases have also fallen in patients aged 65 years and over from 1837 during January - March 2007 to 1189 for the same quarter in 2008, a decrease of 35%.
There were 2% more cases in patients aged 2 years and over in January-March 2008 than the previous quarter of October - December 2007 however this is less of an increase than expected as the January to March quarter usually accounts for more cases as it's a winter month and hospital throughput is much higher than usual.

Roger Gross, London Regional Director of the Health Protection Agency, said:

"It is encouraging to see that all the work being carried out in London hospitals and also in community care is paying off and that levels of MRSA and C difficile are both decreasing. This is a positive step in the direction of making healthcare safer for patients in London and we will continue to support the NHS in reducing levels further."

Notes to editors

1. Media enquiries to Claire Kennedy 020 7759 2834 claire.kennedy@hpa.org.uk or Emily Collins  0207 759 2824 emily.collins@hpa.org.uk
2. Information on changes by the Department of Health to the reporting of MRSA bloodstream infections and C. difficile infections through the Health Protection Agency's mandatory surveillance scheme is available at:
   The Department of Health website

Quarterly counts of MRSA bacteraemia (bloodstream) infections - a summary of cases reported under mandatory surveillance in London

Quarterly counts of C. difficile infections - a summary of cases reported under mandatory surveillance in London

Last reviewed: 14 January 2009