Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Outbreak Forces Lockdown of Cancer Wards at Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The Enterococci superstrain VRE, so-named because of its resistance to the antibiotic Vancomycin (traditionally used only after all other antibiotics have failed), is especially dangerous to people with a compromised immune system.

According to the Dr. Peter Ford of Australian Medical Association, the superbugs have arisen due to the overuse of antibiotics.