MRSA, a super-resistant germ, hits the beach

William Atkins
Sunday, 13 September 2009 18:23

Science - Health

A University of Washington study has found the bacterium Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, in marine water and beach sand on the coast of Washington and California—the first time the superbug has ever been discovered on beaches.


MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a multi-resistant strain of Staphyloccus aureus, which is a common bug (bacterium) that can cause serious infections.

The particular strain of Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, is especially dangerous because it is highly resistant to a large number of antibiotics, such as penicillins.

MRSA, also called multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA), is normally found in hospitals, gym lockers, homes, and other such common places.

It spreads from skin-to-skin contact in all people (healthy or sick, it doesn’t matter) when someone comes in contact with a surface contaminated with the nasty bug and they pass it on to someone else with a handshake, casual touch, or other such means.

People with the MRSA infection are usually isolated in hospitals. Visitors wear gowns, masks, and gloves when seeing such patients.

In the past, MRSA has never been found on beaches in the United States or in its waters. Until now, that is.

Marilyn C. Roberts, a microbiologist at the University of Washington (Seattle), states, "This is the first report of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) from marine water and inertial beach sand." [AFP: "Beaches pose super-bug risk: study"]

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