MRSA Colonisation 8% in NZ

Link: Stuff.co.nz:

      Australian scientists are warning family doctors to look out for virulent new strains of drug-resistant bacteria – a public health risk that is becoming a world-wide problem. Infection rates of the usually hospital-acquired infection MRSA, commonly called golden staph, have almost doubled in the community since 2000 in Australia, according to research published in this week's edition of The Australian Medical Journal. Researchers say those most at risk are people involved in contact sports such as rugby and wrestling. Christchurch microbiologist Ben Harris said MRSA was a worldwide problem and was already found in about 8 per cent of Auckland residents. Christchurch was fortunate to have very little community-acquired MRSA, he said. "It's partially good luck that's kept it out of Christchurch, partially good management and also geographical isolation. But it will come. It's like a weed." Harris said the huge volumes of antibiotics used in New Zealand and overseas – for medical purposes and in agriculture and horticulture – promoted antibiotic resistance in bacteria