MRSA prevention starts with sanitation

By FRANK KONKEL
Sentinel-Standard writer
Published: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
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IONIA - Chances are you've heard of the Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus (or MRSA).
It's been coined as a “superbug” by media pundits and hyped up as an epidemic. Local health officials are glad to get the word out about the potential seriousness of MRSA, but they hope it's not blown out of proportion.

“MRSA is something that's actually been around forever,” said Joanne Eakins, director of personal health for the Ionia County Department of Health. “It's a Staph infection that's resistant to some forms of antibiotics and sometimes it's difficult to find antibiotics that will stop the infection.”

MRSA has made headlines because dozens of school districts across the state have closed due to perceived outbreaks, which include more than three cases. But Eakins is quick to point out that MRSA isn't some unstoppable plague; it's easily preventable and on the rare occasion that someone does acquire it, they're not generally at serious risk of further complications.

“The number one thing is that people just wash their hands,” Eakins said. “If you have open wounds or sores, keep them clean and covered. In schools, the big thing is to remind children not to share things like towels or razors or other items that can transfer disease.”

Linda Wacyk of the National Association of School Administrators said prevention of MRSA-related problems isn't exclusive to individual hygiene.

“Schools can do a lot to help prevent the spread of MRSA and other disease,” Wacyk said. “If they keep surfaces clean, like those found in gyms or weight rooms, that goes a long way toward preventing the spread of disease.” MRSA is a bacteria generally found on skin and is spread much more easily through fluids contained in open cuts, scrapes or wounds.

According to Wacyk, MRSA is generally found in areas where there are individuals already in poor or deteriorating health, like nursing homes and hospitals.

Recently, she said, some school districts have had MRSA cases and have closed needlessly. “The issue has been blown out of proportion,” Wacyk said. “It's a kind of circular phenomenon when schools close; people either overreact or under react. These schools might feel they have to do something [like close] when [closing] really isn't necessary.”

Instead, students who've acquired MRSA should remain out of school until the infection is cleared. Likewise, the Ionia County Health Department recommends school officials only make MRSA cases known if there are more than a few in a short period of time.

Though it is a difficult infection to treat, often times the body removes the infection on its own, or a physician can treat it with stronger antibiotics until it goes away. However, Eakins said, keeping students out of school for long periods of time based on perceived fear is not the answer. “The media makes it a bigger deal than it is,” Eakins said. “All that attention definitely isn't warranted.”