Many thanks to Tallaght Hospital who have issued the following reassurance on the risk posed by CRE, which is an antibiotic resistant bacteria.

We would of course ask those attending/visiting any CF centre to continue to observe normal good practice in relation to CF related cross infection and infection prevention advice provided by the hospital/clinical staff.

Statement from the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght, regarding antibiotic resistant bacteria, (CRE) and Cystic fibrosis.

1. The national Antibiotic Reference Laboratory in Galway has identified an increased prevalence of CRE in Ireland throughout all hospitals over recent years.
2. In recent weeks the adult hospital in Tallaght has identified a cluster of patients who are colonised with CRE and very active containment measures are in place. Most, (90%), of these adult patients are colonised only, i.e., picked up after active screening and are not infected.
3. No CRE have been identified in the National Children’s Hospital in Tallaght which has separate wards, equipment, outpatient areas, x ray and phlebotomy. Consequently, the HSE has formally delisted the Children’s hospital as separate and not related to the adult cluster in Tallaght.
4. Antibiotic resistance is common in children with cystic fibrosis and exceptional measures are taken to prevent cross infection in all hospitals. In this regard the NCH in Tallaght is no different in risk than any other CF hospital.