Seattle Researchers Find Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) on Washington Beaches

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans most commonly contracted in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Outbreaks have also been reported in prisons, and even from skin contact in gyms and locker rooms.

Earlier this fall, researchers in Seattle discovered that nearly all the Washington public beaches they tested harbored strains of staphylococci in the sand at the shoreline, with methicillin resistance in half of the strains found. The MRSA strains found resemble those commonly found in hospitals.

While researchers said they weren't telling people not to go to the beach, they recommended paying close attention to persistent rash, fever, and other tell-tale signs of MRSA infection after a visit to the beach.

Read the full story on MedPage Today.

About the Author

Tom D'Amore is the founder of D'Amore Law Group and a trial attorney with over 30 years of experience representing injured people and their families across the West Coast, securing more than $325 million in recoveries. He handles cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, construction injuries, medical malpractice, and sexual abuse. Licensed in Oregon, Washington, and California, Tom is the only NBTA board-certified truck accident attorney in Oregon. He is a national Board of Governors member, past Executive Committee member, and past Budget and Audit Chair of the American Association for Justice, as well as past President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice.