Govt plays down airborne MRSA transmission

Link: Hospitals: Infectious Diseases: 25 Feb 2008: Written answers (TheyWorkForYou.com).

Ann Keen (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Health Services), Department of Health) | Hansard source This reply only covers methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile). The available evidence for MRSA and C. difficile is that the main route of transmission is via inadequately cleaned hands, hence the Department's focus on good hand hygiene and cleaning (especially of frequently touched areas). There is little evidence to suggest that airborne exposure is a significant transmission route. The Department continues to monitor any new evidence and is aware of some evaluations of air decontamination systems that are ongoing in national health service settings, the results of which will be reviewed when they are available.