In addition, the Institute has said there is a strong suspicion of MRSA in one piglet producer of Haugalandet who has supplied pigs to the two fattening farms with the outbreak.

MRSA, short for meticillin-resistant staphylococcus aureusis, is an antibiotic-resistant infection that is very difficult to treat.

The discovery was made in conjunction with the national monitoring programme for MRSA in swine, which the Veterinary Institute performs on behalf of the Food Standards Authority.

The monitoring programme for this year started in March. The programme was in operation for the first time last year, and found one positive herd.