Superbug Poised To Cause Big Problems In Canada: Report
Posted January 3, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
American hospitals are currently dealing with an epidemic of community-associated methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), otherwise known as a staph infection. The drug-resistant bug has already turned up in Canadians hospitals from B.C. to Ontario.
Infections have already been reported in Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto, where a three-month-old baby died because of the bug in 2005.
In a recent report published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, infectious disease experts warn physicians need to be aware of the increasing prevalence of the superbug and the severity of potential outbreaks.
This particular bug causes infections that result in pus-filled lesions, pneumonia and in some rare cases, flesh-eating disease.
MRSA begins with what appears to be a spider bite. If not treated promptly these small raised bumps can develop into large abscesses that can grow to the size of a baseball or grapefruit.
The illness is also accompanied by fever and flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can cause bleeding in the lungs.
The staph infection was once something only caught in hospitals, but the bug is now occurring in healthy people and is moving out of the traditional risk groups, including intravenous drug users, the homeless, aboriginals, and people infected with HIV.
The infection is spread through physical contact, open cuts, poor hygiene and sharing personal items. The bug has been reported in high school and college athletes, and a few cases have turned up in the NFL.
To ward off the bug Canadian officials are encouraging hand washing, covering any draining skin lesions and not sharing potentially contaminated items, including razors, creams, soap, or towels.
For more on MRSA, visit the following links:
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
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