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Watch Out for Staph
Some Strains of the Common Bacteria Can Lead to Dangerous Skin Infections
(Oct. 18, 2007). – Kentuckians should be aware of dangerous skin infections and take simple precautions to prevent infection from bacteria like Staphylococcal aureus, or staph, particularly strains that are difficult to treat with antibiotics.
According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, staph is commonly carried on the skin or nose of healthy people, but can lead to a skin infection in certain instances. Increasingly, staph infections are caused by strains of the bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics traditionally used to treat these types of infections.
“If someone suspects he or she has a staph infection, it’s important to get proper medical treatment, and make sure you take steps to prevent the spread of the infection,” said William Hacker, M.D., acting undersecretary for health and public health commissioner.
Often, Hacker said, patients and their physicians may assume that the lesion is a spider or bug bite. The involved site can be red, swollen, painful and draining. More serious infections, such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections and pneumonia, can also occur.
Here are some additional facts about staph and how to avoid infection:
• Staph infections are spread by close contact with infected people. Staph can also come off infected skin onto shared objects and surfaces and then transfer onto the skin of another person who uses the object or surface.
• When Staphylococci become resistant, specific antibiotics, like Methicillin, may not cure those infections. This strain of staph is called Methicillin-Resistant S. Aureus (MRSA).
• Other antibiotics can be used to treat MRSA, but treatment may be longer and/or more expensive.
Common skin conditions caused by MRSA include infected cuts, boils, fluid-filled blisters (impetigo), or skin sores that look like infected insect bites.
Relatively minor MRSA infections can sometimes develop into more serious complications, such as spread of the infection to surrounding tissues, serious abscesses, blood, bone or heart infections. Early treatment can prevent the infection from getting worse. To keep from spreading MRSA, follow these tips:
• Keep infections covered with clean, dry bandages. This is especially important for infections that continue to produce pus or to drain material.
• Follow your health care provider's instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain bacteria and spread the infection to others.
• Wash your hands after touching infected skin and bandages. Put disposable wastes (e.g., dressings, bandages) in a separate trash bag and close the bag tightly before throwing it out with the regular garbage.
• Advise your family and other close contacts to wash their hands frequently. Caregivers should use gloves and wash hands afterwards if they change your bandages or touch the infected wound or other objects that have been in contact with the wound or wound drainage.
• Do not share personal items (e.g., towels, washcloth, razor, clothing or uniforms) or other items that may have had contact with the infected wound or wound drainage.
• Disinfect all non-clothing (and non-disposable) items that come in contact with the wound with a solution of one tablespoon household bleach mixed in one quart of water (must be prepared fresh each day) or a phenol-containing store-bought cleaning product.
• Wash linens and clothes that become soiled with hot water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
• Wash utensils and dishes in the usual manner with soap and hot water or use a standard home dishwasher.
• Avoid participating in contact sports or other skin-to-skin contact until your infection has healed.
• If you have a MRSA infection, be sure to tell any health care providers who treat you that you have it.
For more information, visit DPH’s Web site http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/MRSA.htm or call your local health department. Additional information can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site about “Community Associated MRSA,” http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html
Letter for Environmental and Infection Control of Skin Infections from Dr. Hacker, Commissioner for Public Health
Public Health Guidelines to Help Prevent the Spread of Skin Infections from the Kentucky Department for Public Health
Five Kentuckians Identified as Passengers on TB Patient's Flight
Any Kentuckians on Flights Should Contact Local Health Dept. Despite Low Risk
(June 4, 2007). The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) has received updated information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that five Kentuckians have been identified as being on an international flight earlier this month with the patient with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Though the CDC believes the risk of illness in other passengers is low, local health departments are contacting these individuals for follow-up evaluation and testing.
"While it appears the risk of infection in these individuals is low, the state and local health department will continue to work collaboratively to complete precautionary testing to ensure that any spread of the disease is controlled," said William D. Hacker, M.D., DPH commissioner. "If any other Kentuckians were on the identified flights, I urge them to contact their local health department so the appropriate follow-up can be completed."
At this time, CDC has not notified Kentucky of any other passengers from the state who traveled on flights with the XDR-TB patient. Initial TB test results should be available a few days after the initial medical evaluation. Some individuals may need follow-up testing and evaluation in 8-10 weeks. Federal regulations prohibit disclosing any information about the identity or condition of patients.
Three of the passengers from Kentucky are from the Louisville area, with the remaining two from Western Kentucky.
Extensively drug-resistant TB is rare in the United States and poses a health threat due to its resistance to the most common TB treatments. However, TB usually has a long incubation period before it becomes contagious so exposed individuals do not pose a serious risk to other members of the public at this point. The following flights have been identified as those on which the XDR-TB patient was a passenger: Air France # 385/Delta Air Lines # 8517, departing Atlanta on May 12 and arriving in Paris on May 13, and Czech Air # 0104, from Prague, Czech Republic, to Montreal, Canada, on May 24. If any Kentuckians were aboard these flights, they should contact their local health department for follow-up testing.
The CDC Web site about XDR-TB (http://www.cdc.gov/tb/xdrtb/) has more information about the ongoing investigation about the traveler, fact sheets, and other resources for individuals seeking additional information about this relatively rare type of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Salmonella Outbreak
(Feb. 15, 2007). Ten cases of Salmonella have been identified in Kentuckians from September 2006 through January 2007 related to the multi-state outbreak announced on Feb. 14th by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Kentucky cases occurred in residents of Calloway (2), Jefferson (2), Christian (1), Greenup (1), Kenton (1), Marshall (1), Meade (1), and Warren (1) counties. Ages of affected persons ranged from children to seniors.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers not to eat certain jars of Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter due to risk of contamination with Salmonella Tennessee, the bacterium identified in the outbreak. Affected jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter have a product code located on the lid of the jar that begins with the number "2111". Those who have Peter Pan or Great Value brand peanut butter with this code purchased since May 2006 should discard it.
Symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Those with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems may experience life-threatening infections. Those who have recently eaten Peter Pan and/or Great Value brand peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 and have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately.
For more information on Salmonella and the latest news on the national outbreak from the CDC, click here.
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Spinach
(Nov. 3, 2006). The Department for Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a total of 19 confirmed cases related to the national Salmonella outbreak that took place during September and early October. The state public health laboratory will conduct additional tests to confirm the suspect cases. The source of the outbreak in Kentucky has not been identified.
The 19 confirmed cases were reported in residents of Fayette (7), Laurel (7), Garrard (1), Knox (1), Leslie (1), Scott (1), and Whitley (1) counties.
The Salmonella outbreak was recently detected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through a national computer lab system that searches for patterns in reports of foodborne illness.
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days and most persons recover without treatment. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is advising people to wash their hands with soap and water before preparing food, wash vegetables before slicing them, and cook eggs and other food items thoroughly to kill bacteria.
For more information on Salmonella and the latest news on the national outbreak from the CDC, click here.
E. coli Outbreak
(Sept. 18, 2006). Currently a multi-state outbreak of E. coli is occurring, including cases being reported in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is recommending that consumers avoid the consumption of all fresh spinach and products that contain fresh spinach as a safety measure to avoid possible E. coli infection. This does not apply to frozen spinach products or other fresh produce items.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 or E. coli is a potentially deadly bacteria that causes bloody diarrhea, dehydration and kidney failure. It is spread from contaminated meat, vegetables, unpasteurized milk and juice, and swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water.
An estimated 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths occur in the U.S. each year.
If you believe you have experienced symptoms of illness after consumption of raw spinach, please consult your health care provider. If you have questions regarding E. coli, contact your local health department.
For the latest information on E. coli cases in Kentucky, please click here.
For the current situation on the nationwide E. coli outbreak, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site
Click here for information from the FDA on the safe handling of raw produce and fresh squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. |