MRSA PREVENTION

(Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)

 

More Than a Dozen Cases of MRSA in New Jersey Schools This Month; State Still Has No Mandated Reporting

Posted on October 25, 2007

Parents and school officials in New Jersey are growing increasingly concerned at what appears to be an upswing in cases of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although the state of New Jersey keeps no comprehensive statistical data on community-acquired staph infections in the state, school administrators have reported new MRSA infections at more than one dozen schools this month. Among the schools reporting infections are:

There may also have been a MRSA infection in Wenonah, and two antibiotic-resistant staph infections were reported in Old Bridge Township on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, but no further details are currently available.

While most of the infected students are being treated on an outpatient basis, a 19-year-old student at Norman A. Bleshman Regional Day School in Paramus has been hospitalized with MRSA for three weeks, his family told reporters. His mother said he is fighting for his life at Hackensack University Medical Center. A second student at the private school has also contracted MRSA.

State officials cannot confirm that the number of staph cases has risen in New Jersey this year. Although county health departments collect data on MRSA outbreaks (multiple cases in a given building during the same time period), the state does not track individual community-acquired staph infections, such as those contracted in schools or parks. A statewide initiative to collect comprehensive data on community-acquired MRSA has not been announced, but the state Education Department is now asking school districts to notify county superintendents of any new MRSA cases.

Update, 10/26/07: 3 More New Jersey MRSA infections to report:

Update, 10/27/07: Another 7 New Jersey schools reporting MRSA infections:

Update, 11/1/07:

Update, 11/3/07:

Update, 11/5/07:

Update, 11/6/07:

Update, 11/7/07:

Update, 11/9/07:

Update, 11/15/07:

 

What is it?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus -- or staph -- because it's immune to some commonly used antibiotics.   The symptoms of MRSA depend on what part of your body is infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, causing pimples or boils. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.   Though most MRSA infections aren't serious, some can be life-threatening. Many public health experts are alarmed by the spread of tough strains of MRSA. Because it's hard to treat, MRSA is sometimes called a "super bug."   In this time of media hype, it is important to know that, according to the CDC, almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by your doctor, typically via drainage of the infection site. Some cases require treatment with specialized antibiotics. More serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or bone infections, are very rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin infections.

What causes it?

Staph is a common bacteria that can live on our bodies. Plenty of healthy people carry staph on their bodies without being infected by it. In fact, 25-30% of us have staph bacteria in our noses. But staph can be a problem if it manages to get into the body, often through a cut. Once there, it can cause an infection.   Staph is one of the most common causes of skin infections in the U.S. Usually, these are minor and don't need special treatment. Less often, staph can cause serious problems like infected wounds or pneumonia.   Staph can usually be treated with antibiotics. But over the decades, some strains of staph – like MRSA -- have become resistant to antibiotics that once destroyed it. This makes it very difficult to kill it once it has infected the human body.   MRSA was first discovered in 1961. It's now immune to methicillin, amoxlcillin, penicillln, oxacillin, and many other antibiotics. While some antibiotics still work, MRSA is constantly adapting and mutating, becoming resistant to antibiotics. Researchers developing new antibiotics are having a tough time keeping up, thus earning the media-label of "super bug."

Who gets MRSA?

MRSA is spread by contact. You can contract MRSA by touching another person who has it on their skin, or you could get it by touching objects that have the bacteria on them. MRSA is carried, or "colonized," by about 1% of the population, although most of them aren't infected.   Infections are most common among people who have weak immune systems and are living in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care centers. Infections can appear around surgical wounds or invasive devices, like catheters or implanted feeding tubes. Rates of infection in hospitals, especially intensive care units, are rising throughout the world. In U.S. hospitals, MRSA causes up to 40%-50% of staph infections referred to as Hospital Acquired or HA-MRSA

MRSA Symptons

MRSA can look like a common spider bite, turf burn, boil, rash, ingrown hair, impetigo, infected skin or infected wound. Typically, it is found in the area of armpits, groin, neck, and buttocks.  Other symptoms can include unexplained fever, muscular pain, or fatigue, especially in the several months following a skin infection.

 

MRSA PREVENTION

1. Educate your facility managers and personnel about recognizing MRSA.

2. Implement a hand washing initiative and training program for aggressive hand washing and hand sanitizing.

3. Implement a 2-step cleaning program that uses standard infection control procedures.

- Surfaces must be cleaned before applying disinfectant.

- Use of disinfectants should be reserved only for surfaces touched by skin.

- Disinfectant must be given proper dwell time to perform.

- Environmentally preferred products provide better indoor air quality and will not burden an individual’s immune system.

 

Products that kill MRSA

Airx 75

Envirox Critical Care

Spartan NABC

Spartan Foaming Q & A

Spartan Steriphene II

Spartan DMQ