Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 

Staphylococcus aureus or “Staph” is a common bacterium that can cause skin and invasive infections. Over the past several decades, these bacteria have developed resistance to several important antibiotics, thereby making it more difficult to treat infections due to Staph. Infection with methicillin-resistant (antibiotic-resistant) Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is common among patients exposed to the bacterium while in a health-care facility (e.g., hospitals or nursing homes) and among persons with histories of repeated or long-term antibiotic therapy. However, in the United States and elsewhere, skin and soft tissue infections (boils, abscesses, cellulitis) with MRSA have been reported during recent years in increasing numbers among persons of all ages without these traditional risk factors. These infections are referred to as “community-associated MRSA” (CA-MRSA) and they are often misdiagnosed as spider bites.

General Information

• Community-associated MRSA information for the public (CDPHE)

• Community-associated MRSA information from(CDC website)  (CDC website)

Information for MRSA in Schools

• Questions and answers about MRSA in schools(CDPHE)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for MRSA in schools
• MRSA Toolkit for Middle & High Schools(Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department)
• Skin Infections in Athletes(Minnesota Department of Health)

• Multilingual translations of "Parents Guide to MRSA"(California Dept of Eduation)

Information for School/Childcare Providers

• Recommendations for Management of Children with MRSA in School and 
  Child Care Settings

Information for Healthcare Providers

• Clinical Management of MRSA in the Community (CDC website)
• MRSA Protocols for Long Term Care Facilities
• MRSA Guidance for Long Term Care Facilities

Information on MRSA in Animals

• Questions and answers for pet owners
• MRSA Information for Veterinarians

Other Resources

• Guidelines for Reducing Spread of Staph/CA-MRSA in Non-Healthcare Settings
  Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

• MRSA in Healthcare Settings (CDC website)

• Federal Bureau of Prisons - Management of MRSA

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Please visit the following websites for more information on MRSA