Concerned about MRSA? Get the facts here, including links to numerous websites with useful information about MRSA for members of the public, schools and clinicians. Resources available include information sheets, brochures, posters and toolkits.

MRSA is a type of "staph" skin infection that has become resistant to some antibiotics such as penicillin. Bacteria may develop resistance to antibiotics when they are used but are not needed or not taken as directed.

Until recently, people most often got MRSA infections when they had open wounds, burns, and/or tubes inserted in their bodies for medical treatment and were hospitalized or stayed in a nursing home. Now MRSA skin infections are becoming more common among adults and children who have not stayed in hospitals or nursing homes.

MRSA infections can be mild or very serious and are spread through skin to skin contact or less frequently by touching surfaces that have MRSA on them. The best way to protect against MRSA infections is frequent hand washing with soap and water.

Individual case reports of MRSA are not reportable in Michigan; therefore, the number of cases for either Healthcare Associated–MRSA (HA-MRSA) or Community Associated–MRSA (CA-MRSA) is unknown. An outbreak is defined as three or more culture-positive cases in a facility or in a community setting that are connected. An outbreak that meets this definition is reportable to the local health department.

Use these links for additional information about MRSA and MRSA resources for members of the public, schools, clinicians.

Michigan Department of Community Health Issues Guidance To Communities On MRSA
http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192--178951--,00.html

School Resources

MRSA Guidelines for Washtenaw County Schools
Source: Washtenaw County Public Health Department

MRSA Fact Sheet
Source: Washtenaw County Public Health Department
http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/public_health/phcontent/cd_fact_sheets/mrsa.pdf

MRSA Toolkit for Middle & High Schools
Source: Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department
http://www.tpchd.org/page.php?id=364

Questions and Answers about MRSA in Schools
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/

Questions and Answers about MRSA for School Health Professionals (Materials Translated in Several Languages)
Source: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health
www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/antibiotic/mrsa_school_health.htm

Indiana State Department of Health Guidelines for MRSA in Indiana Schools
Source: Indiana State Department of Health
http://www.in.gov/isdh/dataandstats/epidem/2004/sep/guidelines.pdf

General Resources

MRSA: What You Should Know (Brochure)
Source: Michigan Department of Community Health
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MRSA_brochure_FINAL_167898_7.pdf

Protect Yourself from MRSA and Other Infections (Poster)
Source: Michigan Department of Community Health
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MRSA_poster_FINAL_167902_7.pdf

MRSA
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_mrsa.htm

Overview of Healthcare-Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA)
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html

Overview of Community-Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA)
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html

Resources for Clinicians

Strategies for Clinical Management of MRSA in the Community: Summary of Experts’ Meeting Convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/pdf/ar/CAMRSA_ExpMtgStrategies.pdf

Page updated 6/9/08