Cases of VRE have triggered infection prevention measures to be put in place at Christchurch Hospital

There are currently two small outbreaks, of fewer than 10 patients on one ward, with two different strains of vancomycin-resistant enterococci .

One strain has been linked to an Auckland cluster.

Staff have been provided with extra information about hygiene and disease management, there's also signage on walls of the hospital.

Health NZ says most patients are carriers of the bug, rather than actually having an active infection.