Deaths from a highly infectious bug have risen by almost three-quarters in a year, according to shocking official figures released today.The number of deaths involving Clostridium difficile rose by 72 per cent, the Office for National Statistics said.
The number of death certificates in England and Wales that mentioned C diff infection rose from 3,757 in 2005 to 6,480 in 2006.
While deaths involving the deadly MRSA superbug have levelled out, rates for C diff increased for both men and women.
Age-standardised mortality rates for deaths involving C diff increased by 77 per cent among males, and 66 per cent among females, between 2005 and 2006.
Rates went up from 37 to 65.5 per million males, and from 38.6 to 64.2 per million females.
The disease has been on the increase in the UK for several years.
The number of reports increased from fewer than 1,000 in the early 1990s to 22,000 in 2002, 28,000 in 2003 and 44,488 in 2004.
But some of the increase in deaths involving the bacteria may be due to more complete reporting on death certificates.
Among deaths with a mention of C diff, the percentage for which it was the underlying cause has been similar - around 55 per cent - each year since 1999.
C diff ranges from a mild diarrhoea to a very severe illness which can be fatal.
The more acute cases can result in ulceration and bleeding from the colon and, at worst, perforation of the intestine leading to peritonitis.
People most at risk are those who have taken strong antibiotics, which reduce their resources of “good” bacteria, and the elderly - more than 80 per cent of cases are reported in the over-65s.
The Department of Health said steps had been taken to tackle infections since 2006 and said non-fatal cases of both MRSA and C diff have been falling.
It insisted figures were now on a par with those in other developed countries.
Chief microbiologist Professor Brian Duerden said: “The chief medical officer wrote to the NHS in July 2005 to make clear that we wanted infections such as MRSA and C diff to be reported more accurately on death certificates.
“These statistics from 2006 show that this move has worked and our figures are now in line with other developed countries.”
He added: “Since 2006 we have taken significant steps to tackle infections.
“These include stringent hand-washing guidance for the NHS, a bare below the elbows dress code, putting matrons back in charge of cleanliness on their wards and an ongoing deep clean of every ward. Now MRSA and C difficile infections are falling.”
He continued: “We are not stopping there.
“We are investing an extra £270million per year by 2010/11 to fight infections which will pay for more specialist staff, including antimicrobial pharmacists, and MRSA screening for all patients.”
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