Popular Beaches Could Hide Staph
Posted on: Saturday, 14 February 2009, 12:50 CST
Thinking of visiting a popular beach spot during Spring Break? A new study found that swimmers are apt to bring home contagious staph bacteria, said U.S. researchers.
The researchers said that those who go for a dip in subtropical marine waters have a 37 percent chance of contracting staph bacteria, including a staph that is resilient to antibiotics, the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
"We think that people are the instruments for bringing their organisms into the water and leaving it behind," Dr. Lisa Plano of the University of Miami announced at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Chicago on Friday.
"I don't know if that is the only source. The bacteria may still be in the sand left over from other people, but we haven't studied that. These are things we plan to do in the future."
People with open wounds or have weak immune systems have the worst chance of getting an infection, she added.
In a test with 1,000 swimmers on a heavily populated Florida beach, the subjects spent 15 minutes in the sea, then collected the sea water in a jug.
They examined the water for the staph and MRSA viruses and discovered that 37 percent of the samples was contaminated with staph, and 3 percent had MRSA.
"I don't think you should fear going to the beach," Plano said, specifically if beach visitors are careful.
Plano advised people to shower prior to their beach visit, to cleanse their bodies of any germs. She also said that showering after a dip is important, to get rid of any pathogens.
"If you don't go into the water with a gaping wound, you should be fine," Plano said.
---
On the Net:
Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
Related Articles
- NORESCO's Innovative Landscape Project to Reduce Water Consumption 50 Percent
- Conservation Bonds Helping Clean California Beaches & Ocean Water
- Beached cow creates bureaucratic confusion
- Bacteria Anticipate Coming Changes In Their Environment
- Beach Closings for Bacteria Up Last Year
- Ocean Waters Acquires LaBreeze Inn & Suites in Ormond Beach
- Agency Expects Hike in 2007 Water Rates
- Md. Bill Seeks Data on Hospital Infections: Reporting is Not Mandatory in State
- One-Fifth of Surgical Patients Die of MRSA
- Scorecard Flunks Two Keys Beaches
 |
 |
User Comments (1)
| 1. |
Posted by potsonna on 02/14/2009, 18:27 Interesting! |
RSS Feeds