A new superbug linked to 14 deaths in Australia is now reported in New Zealand.
Auckland hospital senior microbiologist Sally Roberts says Clostridium Difficile, a severe gut infection, has the potential to cause serious bowel damage.
Dr Roberts says she does not know of any severe cases of the latest strain in New Zealand yet.
Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand chair Brian Poole said the infection can spread very easily from patient to patient.
He said patients in hospitals and resthomes are more at risk of getting it.
