Clostridioides difficile are bacteria that cause diarrhoea particularly in older persons and those that have been or being treated with certain antibiotics. Since January 2021, there has been an increase in CDI for which there is no clear explanation.
UKHSA is currently investigating a newly evolving ribotype (955) which has emerged in England over the last 2 years. This new ribotype has caused 2 large hospital outbreaks. It appears to transmit readily, may present with severe disease or as a recurrence, may not respond to first line treatment and has caused mortality.
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NICE guidance should be followed for the assessment and treatment of CDI. Those with CDI should be promptly isolated and rigorous IPC measures put in place.
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