THE number of cases of the superbug clostridium difficile (C Difficile) in Gwent hospitals fell by more than a third last year to the lowest recorded level.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board recorded 149 cases of C Difficile as healthcare associated during 2014/15, compared to 233 the previous year, resuming a general downward trend.

Apart from 2013/14, when a slight rise in healthcare-linked C Difficile cases occurred in Gwent, the trend in recent years has been down, as more effective methods of combating the bug have been introduced.

Overall, since 2008/09 when 597 cases of C Difficile were classed as healthcare-linked in Gwent hospitals, there has been a 75 per cent reduction.

The area's busiest hospital, the Royal Gwent, had as expected the most cases in 2014/15, followed by Nevill Hall.

C Difficile cases linked to Gwent's smaller, community hospitals fell significantly last year, after an increase during 2013/14, particularly that summer.

Along with larger numbers at the Royal Gwent, it contributed to a nine per cent increase in cases overall that year, which prompted the health board to carry out an internal review and commission an independent report on the circumstances.

C Difficile is a bacterial infection that can affect the digestive system, and which can be life threatening in some cases. It can survive for weeks and months on surfaces.

It does not usually affect healthy people, but most commonly, problems occur in those who have had or are undergoing treatment with antibiotics, which can disrupt the natural balance of normal bacteria in the gut that would otherwise protect against C Difficile.

The regulated use of certain types of antibiotic is a weapon in the battle to minimise C Difficile cases, and this is subject to regular audit.

Robust hygiene and cleaning practices are also vital, and methods such as hydrogen peroxide vapour cleaning of wards and other hospital areas is a key weapon too.

There were fewer than 20 cases of C Difficile every month in Gwent hospitals last year, but the increase in cases during 2013/14 serves as a reminder that the battle to minimise its effect is a constant one.