Two patients die in streptococcal outbreak at Brisbane's Greenslopes Private Hospital

A BACTERIAL outbreak at a Brisbane hospital has killed two men and infected at least two other patients.

A BACTERIAL outbreak at a Brisbane private hospital has killed two patients and infected at least two others, forcing authorities to lock down part of the facility.

Greenslopes Private Hospital, on Brisbane's south, had last night isolated its rehabilitation unit from the rest of the facility and suspended all admissions.

Two men, aged in their 90s, have died from the streptococcus A infections with another two patients testing positive to the bacteria.

Authorities are testing all patients and staff in the unit for the bacteria, including those who had been discharged in the past two weeks.

Queensland Health has been notified of the infections and the deaths of the two men.

Streptococcus A is a bacterium often found in the throat and on the skin.

People can carry the bacteria without becoming sick and some develop minor symptoms such as a sore throat.

But in rare cases the bacteria can invade the bloodstream or the lungs and can cause severe, life-threatening illnesses, particularly in the elderly.

A Greenslopes Hospital spokeswoman said streptococcus A could be spread from person to person via respiratory droplets and close contact with someone carrying the bacteria.

"Most people who come into contact with Group A streptococcus remain well and symptom free,'' she said.

The spokeswoman said once identified, the infection could be successfully treated with antibiotics.

Patients and visitors to the Greenslopes hospital rehabilitation unit since November 29 are advised to phone [phone].

The situation follows a legionella outbreak at Wesley Hospital in June, resulting in the death of 66-year-old cancer patient John Pearson.

The Wesley outbreak sparked the largest hospital testing program ever conducted in Queensland.