MRSA at Beaches

An associated press article from San Francisco, published in my local newspaper on Sunday Sept. 13, 2009 states "staph germs found on beaches."

"Dangerous staph bacteria have been found in sand and water for the first time at five public beaches along the coast of Washington, and scientists think the state is not the only one with this problem."

"The germ is MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-- a hard-to-treat bug once rarely seen outside of hospitals but that increasingly is spreading in ordinary community settings such as schools, locker rooms and gyms."

"The germ causes nasty skin infections as well as pneumonia and other life-threatening problems. It spreads mostly through human contact. Little is known about environmental sources that also may harbor the germ."

Marilyn Roberts, a microbiologist at the University of Washington is quoted as saying "We don't know the risk... but the fact that we found these organisms suggests that the level is much higher than we thought."

The article further says "People should not avoid beaches or be afraid to enjoy them, scientists say." This is where I have to disagree! I have dealt with this germ with my own family and it absolutely terrifies me. MRSA is a very agressive germ. All it needs is the tiniest of scratches or pinpricks and it gets under your skin and causes a huge abscess! It is very hard to get rid of and the whole experience is a nightmare. Everything has to be sanitized constantly because you don't know where it could be lurking.

My advice is: Avoid any place that is known to have MRSA!