Student Athlete Contracting MRSA Results in Temporary Closure of High School Training Facilities

Recently, the Boston Globe published an article about a high school student athlete from the Boston-area that was diagnosed with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Fortunately, no other students are known to have come down with the infection and according to the news report, the school’s athletic facilities were closed so they could be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Infections due to MRSA are often spread by having contact with someone’s skin infection or personal items they have used. These items often include towels, bandages or razors that touched an infected person’s skin. 

“When people are in close contact with others, as occurs during many sports and in athletic training facilities, the chance for a superbug like MRSA to spread increases,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Surface testing can help to identify when microbial pathogens are present to prevent infections or to pinpoint the source of the outbreak. Testing is also instrumental for confirming disinfection procedures are effective in these types of sensitive environments.”

To help prevent the spread of MRSA and other pathogens, EMSL offers a comprehensive range of surface and environmental microbial testing services along with all of the necessary sampling supplies. EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about environmental cleaning and disinfecting for MRSA in the general community that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/h9PXekClyp0.

For more information about microbial testing or other environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 42 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail