That’s the simple but effective antidote to the drug-resistant staph superbug – and it’s a message that could soon greet students in New York’s public and private school gyms and bathrooms.
Two Brooklyn Democrats announced legislation Sunday that would require schools to post hand-washing reminders to deter the spread of the worrisome bacteria.
“One of the best ways to prevent the spread of drug-resistant staph is through the simple yet underused hygienic procedure of hand-washing,” said state Sen. Carl Kruger, who is sponsoring the bill with Assemblyman Dov Hikind.
Last week, 10 players on an Iona College sports team were infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. One student athlete was hospitalized.
Since then, outbreaks have been either confirmed or suspected at eight other schools.
In most cases of staph, the body’s immune system or a penicillin-type drug will get rid of the infection. The superbug bacteria cannot be contained with basic antibiotics.
On the heels of the Iona outbreak, the Journal of the American Medical Association released a report showing 90,000 serious MRSA cases in 2005.
A fifth of these cases were fatal – more than the number of AIDS-related deaths.
“This nasty staph bug can prove deadly even for young, healthy individuals,” Hikind said.
“We must take adequate and appropriate action now to protect the health of all New Yorkers.”
