Task Force Formed to Track MRSA Cases

Nov 1, 2007 01:12 PM

INDIANAPOLIS - The State Department of Health is reaching out to others to better track cases of a drug resistant staph infection called MRSA.

A new task force has been formed including hospitals, educators and medical researchers. While the number of MRSA cases isn't any greater than normal years, publicity is raising awareness of the bacteria which is spread through human contact. The first goal of the task force is to educate the public.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Judith Monroe said, "Secondly and very importantly is that we give consistent scientifically based messaging around MRSA that's tailored to each of our specific audiences."

Many schools reporting MRSA cases have disinfected areas where students come in contact with each other. Health officials say this is not considered an outbreak. But three outbreaks of MRSA were reported in 2003 and 2004 at a university, a factory and a jail.