The Coroner has been notified of two deaths following an outbreak of the superbug C Difficle at a Co. Louth hospital.

Three wards have been shut at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, following the outbreak of the contagious infection.

Ten patients have already tested positive for the bug another 11 are showing symptoms.

The two deaths occured in the past ten days.

Clinicial Director with Louth/Meath Hospitals Dr. Dominic O’ Brannigán says it’s being investigated.

“Where patients actually die and they have confirmed C Difficle then we’re obliged to inform the Coroner” he said.

“In all cases where those requirements were there, they have actually been made and dealt with” he added.

In a statement, the Health Service Executive (HSE) asked members of the public not to visit the hospital.

‘If a visit is essential or unavoidable, the public are asked to telephone the hospital in advance to make arrangements’, it said.

Also all elective admissions, including elective scopes, are cancelled until further notice.

C diff is contagious and spreads very easily but can usually be prevented with good hygiene.

Naturally present in humans, it does not cause problems for healthy people but can multiply out of control, particularly in people being treated with antibiotics – making hospitals susceptible to infection.

Most people make a full recovery; however, in rare cases, it can be fatal.