My heart skipped a beat as I read today about a microbiologist presenting at the American Society for Microbiology conference about staph bacteria being discovered at five beaches surveyed in Washington both in sand and the water. Skin infections as well as respiratory infections like pneumonia can occur due to methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (also known as mrsa).

The study showed that these organisms are around public beaches in Washington. They were also reported in some Florida Palm Beach beaches last year as well. Marilyn Roberts is the scientist that did the presentation. At this point banning beach visits isn’t recommended but it is important to shower. Also cover up wounds when you go to beach and definitely wash off the sand.

Both mrsa and staph were found at the west coast beaches and the strains were as strong as some hospital related cases. It also seems that there are a number of high school sports teams that have been plagued by staph bacterial infections. Because they can be resistant to treat, there are concerns about this issue though no beaches have been closed down. In Florida various condo communities will shut down at times due to fecal contamination. Enterococci is another bacteria that had been seen at beaches in previous studies.

In terms of the staph bacteria for sports in schools, the Hanover-Big Springs football game was cancelled due to a staph infection. In boxing news, Pavlik fight was cancelled due to his staph infection in his hand. Just browsing today’s news I see reported that a Sylvania Southview high school student has been diagnosed with the MRSA staph infection and 2 Keystone employees also have contracted mrsa. Because of the issue of antibiotic resistance, this is something that can get complicated.

Kids tend to fall and have abrasions on their knees and scrapes. Be sure to cover these up and wash well if you go to the beach to get the sand off and the water. Most beaches have showers right there. Impetigo rash is a common staph or strep rash that occurs in kids. Some people are also strep carriers and may get a strep rash on their body.