Local health officials say MRSA is now being tracked

Ground pork being tested at IEH labs in Seattle.

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Story Published: Oct 31, 2008 at 7:43 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 4:53 AM PDT

By Greg Meyer

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LEWISTON - Some of the contaminated ground pork found in a recent investigation by Fisher Broadcasting television stations was purchased in Lewiston.

Because of legal concerns, where the contaminated pork was purchased can't be revealed. Pork products were purchased at three Lewiston supermarkets. The store where the MRSA was found is being notified.

North Central District Health Department Staff Epidemiologist Donna Anderson said Friday, that MRSA has been identified in the Valley since the 90s, but only now is the state starting to track it.

"Well we don't really know how much MRSA is in our community because it is not one of those things that is reportable as far as skin infections go," said Anderson. "The State of Idaho in the year 2008, we now have requirements for reporting invasive MRSA, that is MRSA that is found in a normally sterile site. For example blood, or spinal fluid, if MRSA is found in those sites, then it's reportable."

Anderson said MRSA could also be picked up from surfaces like handrails and shopping carts. As far as food-borne MRSA, she said the key is keeping wounds covered, washing hands and thoroughly cleaning kitchens.

"There's a couple of things you should do when you're cleaning your kitchen," said Anderson. "First of all you need to just clean it up, with just good old soap and water. You could also disinfect it with an EPA-approved cleaning product, there's lots of products out there so look for that label that says EPA-approved."

MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria are in part the result of the over-prescription of antibiotics, as well as improper use.

"It's really important when your physician prescribes medications for you that you take the entire course of antibiotics," said Anderson. "When you don't, then not all of the bacteria are killed and that's how we get resistant or mutant strains. "

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