A leading microbiologist has told the BBC that he fears a major outbreak of new strains of community infections unless public monitoring is given more resources.
Infection surveillance ‘needs more resources’
Professor Hugh Pennington said the Health Protection Agency “lacked the staff for the greater surveillance of virulent and mutating bacteria.” The BBC report said that concern was growing about PVL (Panton-Valentine leukocidin). Unlike hospital-acquired MRSA, which mainly affects older people and those who are vulnerable, PVL strikes children and people under 40 who are otherwise fit and healthy.
