DCHD Stresses the
Importance of Hygiene

The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) and the Florida Department of Health is reminding the community of the importance of proper hygiene to prevent the spread of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), the common cold, influenza and a number of other infections. Research published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) estimates that there are more than 94,000 MRSA infections and 18,000 deaths in the USA each year. MRSA no longer appears solely in healthcare settings, it is becoming more common in the community since its appearance in the 1960’s.

“Proper hand hygiene is the first line of prevention in the spread of MRSA and other infections such as the common cold, and influenza,” DCHD Director Robert Harmon, M.D., M.P.H. said. “The article published last week points out a serious problem that is going to take a multi-disciplinary approach.”

MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus (staph) resistant to some antibiotics. While 25% to 30% of the population is a carrier of staph, approximately 1% are afflicted with MRSA. Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems. These healthcare-associated staph infections include surgical wound infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia. In the community, MRSA is most often associated with skin infections but may also include more serious and life threatening infections.

Any disease outbreak or cluster in a community is considered reportable and the Department of Health has established a surveillance program aimed at MRSA in the community.  The Department of Health is currently developing further surveillance to look for severe cases of MRSA infection in the community.

The DCHD highlights the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended precautions:

• Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.

• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.

• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

The Florida Department of Health and DCHD are committed to promoting proper hygiene. The Department recently received a Suncoast Emmy nomination for its "Fifth Guy" campaign aimed at proper hygiene. For more information on the campaign visit www.fifthguy.com.

The Department of Health also received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the “Get Smart” Campaign, an education campaign promoting the prudent use of antibiotics in order to prevent antimicrobial resistance organisms such as MRSA. For more information visit www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/.

If you know someone that has a staph or MRSA infection, please contact a medical professional.

Duval County Health Department
Main Office
515 W. 6th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
253-1000

Copyright ©  2003 Duval County Health Department. All rights reserved.