World MRSA Day to fight against denial and inaction

The MRSA pandemic continues to be a major public health threat and crisis along with other antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and must become a top political priority worldwide. This year marks 50 years since MRSA emerged into the world. World MRSA Day, 2 October, and World MRSA Awareness Month are opportunities for people worldwide to unite in […]

2 October is World MRSA DayThe MRSA pandemic continues to be a major public health threat and crisis along with other antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and must become a top political priority worldwide. This year marks 50 years since MRSA emerged into the world.

World MRSA Day, 2 October, and World MRSA Awareness Month are opportunities for people worldwide to unite in the fight against MRSA, healthcare-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance while increasing awareness, improving education, and emphasising the importance of prevention through active detection and isolation (ADI).

The 2011 global theme ‘The MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action’ brings critical attention to the public health crisis.  MRSA Survivors Network urgently pleads for the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations (UN), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to finally recognise the MRSA pandemic and set up a worldwide surveillance program and strongly recommend pro-active implementation of ADI to control MRSA in healthcare facilities worldwide.

“It’s up to all of us to help stop the spread of MRSA worldwide in humans, animals, in the environment and in our food supply,” states Jeanine Thomas, founder of World MRSA Day and MRSA Survivors Network.

“So many people still do not know what MRSA is, how it is transmitted, prevented or treated and this includes healthcare and agricultural workers. We need more compassionate behaviour towards people and animals. Many MRSA victims face financial hardships, permanent disability and now some are becoming homeless.”

Recent data show that the treatment of MRSA bacteremia caused by strains of MRSA with slightly lower susceptibility to vancomycin (MIC>1 ugm/ml), which are increasing frequently, are associated with higher morbidity, mortality and treatment failures. “The time for widespread implementation of ADI for MRSA at U.S. healthcare facilities is now,” states Thomas.

www.mrsasurvivors.org

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