Mangaluru: The alleged outbreak of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among the students of a local nursing college irrupted into a protest as the students pleaded the management to take necessary steps.

On Saturday, several students took up to the college campus with their faces tied around with scarves fearing they may get infected.

The students said those found infected with the infection had developed rashes on their skin. They also had body pain and fever. “Despite these symptoms they are not being isolated and given treatment. They are being sent to hospital for duty,” alleged a student.

A professors of the college confirmed that around 60 of 600 students had been found with symptoms of bacterial infection including MRSA. Such infections were common among nursing staff who failed to wash their hands after attending to each of the patient.

Diana Lobo, Head of Department of Fundamental Science said measures were being taken to clear apprehension about among students about the infection.

Prashant Shetty, vice-president of the trust that runs the collegeafter a meeting with representatives of students said that there is no problem, students want holiday and we have agreed.

What Is MRSA?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It’s tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus — or staph — because it’s resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

The symptoms of MRSA depend on where you’re infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, like sores or boils. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.

Though most MRSA infections aren’t serious, some can be life-threatening. Many public health experts are alarmed by the spread of tough strains of MRSA. Because it’s hard to treat, MRSA is sometimes called a “super bug.”