"But despite that we were seeing transmission events in hospital which tells us that transmission is likely to be indirect, " Dr Floto said.

BBC: Cystic fibrosis bug 'can spread between patients'

Dr Floto said his team had already been in touch with hospitals in the UK and abroad to inform them of their findings and encourage them to change their practices and prevent the infection spreading as much as possible.

BBC: Cystic fibrosis bug 'can spread between patients'

Study leader Dr Andres Floto, research director of the Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge and principal investigator at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, said the results had prompted them to completely rethink their infection control, despite already having strict policies in place.

BBC: Cystic fibrosis bug 'can spread between patients'