This time the infection is at Wakari Hospital, Dunedin, in the rehabilitation ward ISIS, the board confirmed yesterday.
In April, there was six cases of VRE at Dunedin Hospital. Chief medical officer Nigel Millar said the patients screened positive for the superbug, but had not become sick from it.Isolated cases were rare, and the cases are thought to be connected.
The board had taken steps to prevent the further spread of the bug.
"We are taking these positive results for antibiotic-resistant bacteria very seriously and have put in place enhanced infection prevention and control protocols in the areas where identified patients have been treated, including patient isolation and deep cleaning of the potentially affected areas," Dr Millar said in a press release.
There was no risk to staff or visitors, and it was safe to visit Wakari Hospital.
"We have confidence in the controls we have in place to prevent spread between patients and are taking all the steps we can to limit the risks.
"Isolation of this resistant bacteria is rare and the DHB believes that the four colonisations are likely to be connected," Dr Millar said.
Most patients colonised with VRE never develop symptoms.
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What is this VRE? A bacteria resistant to antibiotics. It 'colonises'. Does this mean that human carriers are not infectious?
Does infectious VRE compromise the female urinary tract?