Mangaluru: The AJ Hospital took up to clarify the confusion over MRSA among the residents of the city after an alleged outbreak about the infection was rumored.

The human body is normally colonized by millions of bacteria. One such bacterium is staphylococcus aureus. MRSA or “Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus” is a strain of staphylococcus aureus which has developed resistance to multiple drugs commonly used to treat the bacteria, the hospital said.

Staph, Aureus and MRSA are most often are mere colonizers not infective agents.

Colonization means there is presence of bacteria but without signs of illness or infection. Common sites of colonization are nostrils, belly button, underarms, and groin.

Infection means clinical signs of illness or inflammation due to tissue damage caused by the bacteria.

Colonization with MRSA does not indicate infection and poses no threat to the healthy individual. Colonization among the normal people has been seen to be approximately 23-30%, whereas colonization among healthcare workers is around 50-74%, as per reports.

The hospital said, no treatment is required for colonization.  Most people do not know that they are colonized because the bacteria present do not cause any symptoms. The single most effective way of preventing the spread of MRSA is by proper and thorough hand hygiene measures.

Meanwhile, Health minister UT Khader regarding MRSA in Mangalore said that Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infection (MRSA) causing skin infection is treated with antibiotics. It is mistaken for MERS viral infection.

Precautionary measures are taken at Bangalore and Mangalore airports. The health department team is on the job.

Earlier Report: