AN outbreak of the deadly superbug MRSA at Crewe's Leighton Hospital has sparked an investigation by health chiefs.

Eight cases have been found on Ward 13, which cares for patients undergoing surgery, and it has now been closed to new admissions

In addition all patients on the ward are being screened for signs of the bacterium.

Lead nurse and manager of the Infection Prevention and Control Service, Karen Egan said: "Tackling MRSA and other infections is given a very high priority by Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

"Visitors are being asked to limit the number of times they attend the ward and to follow Trust guidance on hand hygiene.

"Senior staff and members of the Infection Prevention and Control Service are closely monitoring the situation.

"We already have a comprehensive infection control action programme that includes a wide range of pro-active measures aimed at reducing the possibility of patients acquiring an infection while in hospital.

"These robust measures mean that if we do experience MRSA we are prepared to control it.

"The Trust's nursing and medical staff are paying strict attention to individual patient hygiene and have received additional training regarding infection prevention and control.

"Staff movement between wards is being monitored to reduce the potential of the bacterium spreading and an increased cleaning schedule has been introduced on the ward.

"An investigation is currently ongoing to determine the source of the infection.

"However, MRSA can be contracted in the community as well as in hospital and in many cases, patients will be carrying MRSA before they come into hospital."

Half of the eight cases have been described as 'colonisations' of MRSA, found harmlessly on the skin or in the nose.

The remaining four cases are being treated with antibiotics.

Ms Egan added: "The Trust's robust infection control measures are in place and I would like to reassure patients and members of the public that the situation is in hand."

l MRSA is a bacterium from the Staphylococcus Aureus family, which lives harmlessly on skin and in the lining of the mouth and nose of about one third of healthy people.

It only becomes a problem when a person is very sick, has an open wound or undergoes invasive procedures.

The organism is almost always spread by direct physical contact and sometimes through contact with objects, for example work surfaces, towels and dressings.