Are Student Athletes in Puerto Rico at Risk of MRSA Infections?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly referred to as 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 as can easily occur during contact sports or by touching personal items they have used. 
 
Just recently, USA Today published an article about a high school wrestler from Kentucky that contracted MRSA after leaving a wrestling tournament. The infection reportedly nearly took his life, but after many months of treatment, the student eventually recovered. The Boston Globe also recently published an article about a high school student athlete from the Boston-area that was diagnosed with MRSA.  Fortunately, no other students were infected and according to the news report, the school’s athletic facilities were closed so they could be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
 
“Cases like these happen all the time in high schools, professional sport arenas, gyms and other types of athletic facilities,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Puerto Rico is no exception. Superbugs like MRSA can be eradicated from surfaces if they are properly cleaned and disinfected. At Zimmetry, we offer surface testing to identify when microbial pathogens are present to prevent infections or to pinpoint the source of an outbreak. Testing is also instrumental for confirming disinfection procedures are effective. These services can be highly beneficial in schools and sports facilities as well as at hospitals and long-term care facilities where vulnerable populations of people are likely to be encountered.”
 
Zimmetry recently sponsored an educational video about environmental cleaning and disinfecting for MRSA in the general community that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/OLBXny-FuBk
 
To learn more about Zimmetry’s microbial pathogen, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and building science testing, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail