Three residents of a North Point care home for the elderly are carrying a bacteria that resists many antibiotics. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) announced the investigation on October 9.

The bacteria are Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, or CPE. Two residents on the same floor were sent to a public hospital for other illnesses. Their admission screening came back positive. CHP then found a third case in the same home.

All three are carriers: two men and one woman, aged 74 to 94. None has symptoms. All are stable.

Here is the part that stings. CHP traced the likely source to two earlier carriers on that same floor. Then its staff inspected the home and found it had not put the relevant infection prevention and control measures in place. CHP says the bacteria most likely spread through staff, or through contaminated surfaces and objects.

So the hospital caught it on admission, not the home. Think about that if you have a parent in a care home.

CPE makes an enzyme that disables carbapenems and other antibiotics such as penicillins. That limits what doctors can use if a carrier gets a serious infection. It can range from no symptoms at all to life-threatening illness.

CHP has reminded the staff to follow the guidelines. That means better hand hygiene for staff and residents, and thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the environment and objects. It also recommends the home keep the carriers together in one designated area.

Next, CHP will keep investigating and screen the home for any other carriers. The home stays under medical surveillance. If you have a relative there, expect more testing, and expect the home to be watched.