CASES of two hospital superbugs have risen slightly in York, but health bosses say the city's hospital is still a top performer in the area of infection control.

Figures released by the Health Protection Agency show that York Hospital reported four cases of MRSA from July to September 2007 - three cases more than the previous quarter.

During the same period, the hospital also reported 39 cases of C Difficile in patients aged 65 and over, which is marginally more than the 36 cases reported between April and June 2007.

Deputy chief executive Mike Proctor welcomed the figures and said they were still on course to meet the tough end-of-year targets set by the Government.

Between April 2007 and March 2008, the aim is to record no more than 154 cases of C Difficile among patients aged 65 and over and 12 cases of MRSA.

He said: "In 2004, the Government said they wanted every trust to halve their 2003-4 figures for these infections by the end of March 2008 and this is particularly challenging for us because we already had very low levels.

"However, we are on track to achieve the targets and that is testament to the day-to-day efforts that our infection control and clinical teams have put in to make sure we reduce the risk of infecting patients with this type of bug."

The new figures were released as North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) launched its Infection Control Month.

During February, the PCT's infection control team will visit a number of community hospitals to deliver an infection control road show.

This will highlight different infections and give staff and visitors the chance to find out more about how to protect against them.

Andrew Collyer, who co-ordinates infection control at the PCT, said: "It is important that everyone is aware of infection and disease and how easily it can be spread between people in the community.

"By dedicating February to Infection Control Month we are able to highlight the importance of how we can all make a difference in reducing infections such as ensuring good hand hygiene and look at the many ways people help prevent infections from spreading."

There is a range of information available about infection control by logging on to www.nyypct.nhs.uk and following the clean hand link.