MRSA Discovery Concerns Residents In Mitchell, Bedford

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(MITCHELL) - The case of MRSA found in Mitchell schools has got a number of people in Mitchell and Bedford concerned.

Wednesday, Mitchell Community Schools superintendent John Landis sent a letter to parents saying one confirmed case of the antibiotic-resistant strain of the staph bacteria has been found in the school system, and the school's common areas were disinfected with cleaners rated as being effective against the bacteria.

So far, North Lawrence Community Schools has reported no confirmed cases of MRSA, but says there is one potential case they are waiting for word on. NLCS facilities have been scrubbed down as a precaution as well.

MRSA, also known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, has caused a scare recently due to a Virginia student's death being attributed to the bacterium.

MRSA is not a new bacterium, the community-associated strain, referred to as CA-MRSA, started really showing up in the early 1990s, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, according to a study done by doctors at the University of Oxford, MRSA shows increased mortality rates when compared to more traditional staph infections.

Still, it should be noted that most cases of MRSA, especially fatal cases, are found in hospital inpatients. Most of the cases being found contracted in public, are taking the form of skin infections.

Vigilant hand-washing, covering open wounds with bandages and keeping personal items personal, according to Mayo Clinic, are some of the best ways to keep clear of MRSA.

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