CDC Tells How to Avoid MRSA "Superbug" Infections

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have posted other information on MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the so-called "superbug" that's been spreading in schools across the country.

One area of their Web site supplies facts, answers, and solutions for schools, presenting questions and answers on what exactly MRSA is, where it is found, how it is transmitted, and how schools, parents, students, and teachers can help prevent it.

While much of the recent concern over the MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections has involved high school and college athletes, the vast majority of MRSA cases occur in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities.

The CDC has also prepared a fact sheet for the public that gives questions and answers about MRSA. Even if a person does not have an athlete or hospital patient in his or her family, the contagious nature of the MRSA staph infection means that it's wise for the public to take simple precautions.

Ten at Iona College Contract MRSA Staph Infections

Stories of the spread of MRSA and other staph infections have been popping up a lot in the last couple of weeks, and yesterday brought more news.

Health officials said Friday that nine athletes and a coach in suburban Westchester County, just north of New York City, have contracted MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant staph infection that has been called a potential "superbug" infection.
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a strain of staph infection that does not respond to most common antibiotics, but can be treated with other drugs.

The athletes and coach are at Iona College, located in New Rochelle, and the Westchester health commissioner has reported that the outbreak is under control and that the only student who was hospitalized has been released. The Iona cases were said to be "mild" and to have been caught early.