Ten cases of MRSA, a superbug which is resistant to many modern antibiotics and which strikes people recovering from surgery, have been confirmed at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester.
But experts say it is not being classified as an outbreak. A spokesman for West Sussex Health Authority said the cases were spread throughout the hospital and were not confined to one ward or department.
Some operations have been cancelled and staff treating patients with the bug are wearing gloves and protective aprons. Brian Hughes, a director of the health authority, said the bug was easily treatable but staff had to take care to avoid cross contamination He added: "The infection is contagious but is spread by touch rather than being an airborne."
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