Superbug outbreak expands in P.E.I.

Another case of an antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been confirmed on Prince Edward Island.

The outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) began last week at Charlottetown's Queen Elizabeth Hospital when five patients in unit 8 tested positive for the superbug.

The latest positive result brings the total number of cases in the affected unit to six.

All remaining patients in the unit tested negative.

The positive cases have been isolated to one wing of unit 8.

A team of nurses is caring for the affected patients, hospital officials say. Those nurses are not caring for other patients.

"We're keeping up our visiting restrictions," said the hospital’s medical director, Dr. Rosemary Henderson, "and we're carrying on with enhanced cleaning as well. So we're certainly doing our best to try and make sure that we keep it confined to the individuals that already have the bacteria."

Visitor restrictions mean only immediate family members are allowed to visit, no more than two at a time. Visitors under 18 are not allowed, although the hospital says compassionate exceptions will be made on an individual basis.

Henderson said all patients in the unit will be screened again next week.