Superbug infection in Brazil hospitals kills 18 (A similar outbreak is being reported in hospitals

[babsbunny]

A similar outbreak is being reported in hospitals in Chicago, in the United States.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11633044

26 October 2010 Last updated at 20:12 ET

Eighteen people have died in the Brazilian capital after contracting a hospital superbug.

They were infected with bacteria which produce the enzyme Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC), which renders most modern antibiotics ineffective.

It tends to infect hospitalised people whose immune system is already weakened, and those taking antibiotics.

Health officials say 183 people have been infected in Brasilia.

The number of those carrying the bacteria has risen sharply over the past three weeks, but a spokeswoman for the capital's health authority said the increase could be due to more rigorous testing.