There’s an outbreak at the Markdale Hospital.
Grey Bruce Health Services says four patients have tested positive for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus or MRSA.
However, none of the patients have become sick yet with an infection associated with the outbreak.
The inpatient unit was closed to new admissions Friday morning and it will remain closed until there are no new identifiable cases.
A possible reopening will be assessed on a daily basis.
Officials say closing the medical and surgical unit is a precautionary move and a means of preventing further transmissions of the bacteria.
Patients in the Markdale area requiring admission to the hospital will be accommodated at other GBHS hospitals during this time.
The hospital’s visitor policy of one visitor per patient is being strictly enforced, while children 10 years old and under and pets are not allowed.
Visitors must also follow the hospital’s hand hygiene protocol.
Staphylococcus Aureus lives on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy people and when it develops resistance to certain antibiotics it is called MRSA.
MRSA is spread from one person to another usually from contact on the hands of caregivers who have touched contaminated material excreted by the infected person or from touching articles such as towels and sheets contaminated by the skin of the infected person.
Officials say the situation is being monitored closely and the Incident Management team has been implemented.