For immediate release: December 6, 2007 (07-214)

Contacts:
Tim Church, Communications Office 360-236-4077
Donn Moyer, Communications Office 360-236-4076

MRSA: panel begins work on antibiotic resistance strategies
Labs around state to begin reporting the most serious MRSA infections

OLYMPIA ¾ A panel of science experts working to find the best strategies to combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistant organisms will hold its first meeting this week. The Scientific Expert Panel (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/Antibiotics/mrsa-panel.pdf) will be co-chaired by State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes and Dr. Robert Thompson, president of the Infectious Disease Society of Washington.

The panel, formed at the request of Governor Chris Gregoire, holds its first meeting on December 7, 2007 in Seattle. The governor also directed the Department of Health to have labs around the state report cases of certain staph infections that are resistant to antibiotics, including MRSA — methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. That reporting will start December 17.

Lab reporting will focus on invasive MRSA — among the most serious forms of antibiotic-resistant staph infections. The initiatives drew positive response among lab directors and scientific experts.

"We’re delighted with the quick response by some of the state’s top infectious disease experts and the pledges of cooperation by lab operators we contacted," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "Ultimately, the solution to MRSA is an overall plan to combat antibiotic resistance, and that’s the panel’s work."

The science panel will report its findings to the governor by January 10, 2008. Governor Gregoire noted that Washington has been a leader in developing informational materials for the public, schools, and health care providers about MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant organisms (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/Antibiotics/MRSA.htm). Requests have come in from organizations around the country that want to use the materials developed by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the state Department of Health.

The governor has directed the state health department to work with businesses, schools, hospitals and local health partners on expanded outreach about effective MRSA prevention. Guidelines for the public, health care providers and hospitals have been available online, and state health officials coordinated with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction on some specific guidelines for schools.

MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to some of the most commonly used antibiotics, but it is treatable. A federal report in October raised public alarm when it revealed that MRSA infections and deaths were more widespread nationwide than previously thought.

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