Dear Resident:
The news has been filled with stories about MRSA. Referred to as the “superbug,” Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, MRSA first occurred in hospitals. It is resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat such “staph” infections. MRSA is one of the first germs to resist all but the most powerful drugs.
Staph bacteria exist on the skin or in the nose of about one-third of the population. Some have staph on their skin or in their nose but aren't sick. Such bacteria are "colonized" but not infected with MRSA. Healthy people can bear colonized MRSA and have no ill effects; however, these individuals can pass the germ to others.
Staph bacteria are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or other wound and, even then, staph often causes only minor skin problems in healthy people. For a person who is ill or has a weakened immune systems, ordinary staph infections can cause serious illness and potentially lead to death.
MRSA is also becoming more common in community settings, in schools and especially among athletic teams. Athletes are at particular risk for MRSA infection due to the greater instances of direct contact and broken skin.
To educate the community and to provide a forum in which to answer residents’ questions, the Health Department will provide the following educational session:
MRSA: Prevention and Control
Come hear from an expert about how MRSA is transmitted and about preventative measures you can used to control the spread of this infection. Our speaker is Dr. Bela Matyas, Director of the Epidemiology Program, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control at Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Please register at 978 692-5509 by 11/4.
Date:
November 8, 2007
Time:
7:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.
Location:
Blanchard Auditorium
As a member of this community, you play a vital role in the prevention and control of this potentially serious skin infection. Please read the attached fact sheet and attend the educational program. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health launched a community education campaign that offers detailed information, educational materials, and resources on antibiotic resistance and MRSA. A central part of this campaign is a new MRSA website, available at www.mass.gov/dph.
Sandy Collins, RN
Director of Health Care Services
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