Community-Associated MRSA

Updated June 30, 2008

The Central District Health Department wants to make information on MRSA easily accessible. Links to educational materials, prevention information and additional resources are located in the right-hand column of this page under "Additional Resources". They are easy to obtain and easy to understand.

It is our hope that the various materials and resources cited here will help parents, teachers and students respond appropriately to the presence of CA-MRSA in our communities.

Our goals are to inform, so that together we can:

• Prevent infections and the complications commonly associated with CA-MRSA.
• Minimize the time students may spend away from sports and school due to MRSA infections.
• Limit the transmission of CA-MRSA by encouraging people to:
1. Wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer until hands can be washed with soap and water.
2. Shower regularly.
3. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed and not to touch other people’s wounds or bandages. Change bandages daily.
4. Not share personal items such as towels, clothes, or razors.
5. Be aware that contact surfaces that other people use such as door knobs, faucets, exercise mats, and gym equipment should be disinfected before use.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Communicable Disease Control and Public Health Preparedness at 208-327-8625 or send an email to the Communicable Disease Office.

Additional Resources

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department(Washington State)

Information sheets, posters, and prevention information:

• A “MRSA Toolkit for Childcare Centers”
• A “MRSA Toolkit for Middle and High Schools”
• A “MRSA Toolkit for Elementary Schools”
• “Living with MRSA” (booklet)
• “Living with MRSA” (easy print)
• “Viviendo con MRSA” (en espanol)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Information for the public and health care providers:

• “Overview of Community-Associated MRSA”
• With additional links to other MRSA information resources

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Minnesota Department of Health

Community-associated (CAMRSA)/Staph Infections: A Guideline for Athletic Departments (California)

Contact

Nikole Sakata, MPH
Program Manager
208-327-8625
Email Nikole