Public health alert issued by the Dutchess County Department of Health
October 19, 2007
To the Vassar College community,
Vassar has been notified of a public health alert issued by the Dutchess County Department of Health. While there have not been any local cases, incidents of a type of staph infection have been on the rise, and there have been cases reported in schools and colleges nationwide. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics, which include methicillin, penicillin and amoxicillin.
This type of staph bacteria is spread through person-to-person contact or contact with a contaminated item such as a towel, razor, clothing/uniforms, and athletic equipment. It often presents as a skin infection such as a boil or abscess with redness, or swelling that is painful with pus or other drainage, frequently recalled by patients as a “spider bite.”
Prevention includes hand washing, use of hand sanitizers and gloves for wound care, as well as laundering personal items (e.g., towels) and cleaning sports equipment frequently, ideally after each use.
If you have a possible infection of this type or any other related concerns, please contact the Health Service office at ext. 5800, as well as your primary physician or health care provider.
More information about this alert can be found on the Dutchess County Department of Health website: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Health/HDIndex.htm