MRSA 'can thrive for eight weeks'

Fresh fears emerged over MRSA today.

Scientists have discovered the killer hospital bug can survive for up to eight weeks - far longer than previously thought.

They also found that false fingernails and computer keyboards are particularly efficient at cultivating the virus.

The research has led for calls for hospital staff to be subject to the same cleaning rules as workers in the food industry.

"The results of this study clearly demonstrate the need for frequent hand washing and environmental disinfection in health care settings," said Kris Owens of Ecolab, the Minnesota firm that carried out the study.