6 Nov 2015

Antibiotic-resistant bug found in Christchurch

4:56 pm on 6 November 2015

Three people in Canterbury have tested positive for a rare bug that's resisitant to antibiotics.

The Canterbury District Health Board says it has increased its hygiene vigilance after several tests came back positive for a bacteria known as CRE.

The region's Medical Officer of Health, Nigel Millar, says the three people who tested positive for CRE are not infected, and are no longer in hospital.

Dr Millar says it is likely two of the cases were contracted in hospital because of the rarity of the bacteria.

He says the DHB is checking if the bacteria has spread, but has so far found no more cases.