The Niagara Health System has declared a unit outbreak of MRSA in the ICU/Progressive Care Unit at the St. Catharines General Hospital Site.

An outbreak is declared when the number of hospital-associated cases is higher than what is seen as the normal threshold.

There have been five cases attributed to the unit since January 31.

There are currently five of these cases remaining on the unit.

MRSA is a bacteria that lives on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy people, occasionally it can cause an infection.

MRSA is spread from one person to another by contact, usually on the hands.

All infection prevention and control measures are in place to control the spread of the infection and bring the outbreak to an end as quickly as possible.