Huntington Beach, California, October 2, 2024
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a type of staph that can be resistant to several antibiotics. The agency warns that anyone can get a MRSA infection or carry MRSA. The risks increase for people with hospitalizations or nursing home stays, skin-to-skin contact with others, and exposure to crowded and unhygienic places.
The County of Los Angeles Public Health also cautions that recently, MRSA infections have been found in healthy people outside of the hospital. Most of these MRSA infections are found in the skin and soft-tissue and are referred to as community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections.
The bacteria can survive on some surfaces, like towels, razors, and furniture, for hours, days, or even weeks, according to the CDC. MRSA can spread to people who touch a contaminated surface and cause infections if it gets into a cut, scrape, or open wound.
“World MRSA Awareness Month has taken place each October since 2009,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “The MRSA Survivors Network organizes the annual campaign to raise awareness and educate the public and healthcare providers on ways to prevent and mitigate infections due to MRSA and other pathogens.”
In California, LA Testing supports these efforts with a comprehensive range of surface, environmental, and infection control testing services to detect MRSA and many other microbial threats. This form of testing can be instrumental for confirming cleaning and disinfection procedures, and can also be helpful for pinpointing the source of a MRSA outbreak if one has already occurred.
LA Testing recently sponsored an educational video about World MRSA Awareness Month that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/yr63zHw3y14
To learn more about MRSA or other microbial pathogen testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.