Six children hit at Great Ormond St

Six children have caught the MRSA superbug at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

It is understood one child acquired the infection, which was passed on to five others in the ward.

One staff member also tested positive for the bug and has been sent home.

The children were being treated in the dermatology and rheumatology Penguin Ward. They are understood to have been treated with antibiotics and are recovering.

The strain of MRSA discovered on the ward has been traced to a family visiting the unit.

The ward has been steamcleaned twice and a Trustwide reminder campaign on precautions has been launched. A spokesman said: "The Trust is absolutely determined to halt the further spread of the infection and to retain our hard-won reputation as a Trust that keeps cross-infection under control."