Mater Dei Hospital will be screening all the patients admitted into the higher risk wards for the deadly superbug MRSA.

A nose swab will identify patients carrying the bacterium and special disinfectant creams and soaps will remove it from their body, Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia said during a conference on infection control.

The measure is expected to be in place by the end of the year.

Local research has shown that 10 to 15 per cent of patients admitted to Mater Dei are unknowing carriers of the superbug,one of the highest rates in the world.

However, Dr Farrugia welcomed a significant reduction in blood stream infections caused by the anti­­biotic resistant bug over the last few years.

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