Earlier this month, a Dunedin man was transferred from ward 8B to a rest-home where he later tested positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
"They let us know the result was positive, and we were able to act immediately," Otago District Health Board infection control officer Jo Stodart said.
Tests for MRSA were done on patients and staff in ward 8B, which caters for internal medicine patients.
Following further tests, the decision was made to close the ward to new admissions, as "we are erring on the side of caution", Mrs Stodart said.
"We have put measures in place to prevent any cross-infections."
Another patient tested positive for MRSA and was being kept in isolation in the ward. Three nurses also tested positive for the infection and would not return to clinical duties until clear of MRSA.
A further 150 patients and staff had been tested.
Results from 50 of those were expected today, she said.
"We can't stop the staff from working while they wait for the result," she said.
Patients who would have been admitted to the ward would be transferred to other wards.
It was unclear when ward 8B would reopen, she said.
An infectious bacteria, MRSA was resistant to common antibiotics.
The ward had undergone a major clean.
As a precaution, visitors were asked to wash their hands with anti-microbial gel at a temporary hand washing station at the entrance to the ward.
By closing the ward and setting up precautionary systems, the hospital could minimise the impact of MRSA, and people should not be put off visiting the hospital, Mrs Stodart said.
People in hospitals and nursing homes who had weakened immune systems were at risk of being infected by MRSA.
Good hygiene helped to lessen the spread of the bacteria, she said.
MRSA
• Staphylococcus aureus are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.
• MRSA is a type of staphylococcus that is resistant to antibiotics.
• To prevent MRSA infections, practise good hygiene; keep hands clean, keep cuts clean and covered, avoid contact with people's wounds and avoid sharing towels and razors.
