One dead in latest St Joe’s C. diff outbreak

Updated video An 85 year old patient at St Joseph’s downtown Hamilton campus had C. difficile – but doctors are investigating whether that was the cause of death.

The dead man caught the bug in the hospital. There are currently 11 confirmed hospital-associated cases of C. difficile at different units at the hospital. The other patients with symptoms are in isolation rooms, and special cleaning protocols have been put into place.

St Joe’s last had a C. diff outbreak in early 2011 when 16 people died. The latest outbreak was declared this past Saturday.

C. diff is a common transmittable bacteria that causes severe diarrhea and other intestinal problems.

The hospital currently has signs up telling people about the outbreak, as well as an audio message when you walk around the hospital. They are asking people to wash their hands when they come in.

St Joseph’s will update the outbreak situation at 3 pm. Sean Cowan will have all the details tonight on the Evening News at 6.

Video: Sean Cowan reports: