MRSA, a skin infection associated with staph, is not rampant among ETSU facilities.
“There is no evidence of an epidemic or outbreak of MRSA at the CPA,” confirmed Health Education Coordinator Wyeth Lawson Wednesday.
Concerns about an epidemic occurred earlier this week after the East Tennessean ran a Letter to the Editor in which a student voiced concern about possibly contracting MRSA from the Basler Center for Physical Activity.
MRSA is a type of staph infection that can be passed through contact with the skin, typically open wounds, such as cuts or blisters. It usually looks like a spider bite or boil.
Although it can be contracted from any place where large numbers of people are in contact with one another, athletic facilities create favorable conditions for the infection for various reasons.
According to Lawson, these include close proximity, close physical activity and exchange of bodily fluids, such as sweat.
Since release of the letter, ETSU officials have been conducting background research to determine if there really is an outbreak on campus.
Lawson says that there have been four confirmed cases of MRSA in the health clinic since August.
In October 2007, there was an incident in which a student contracted MRSA and some officials thought that it may have come from the CPA.
In an effort to prevent a spread of the skin infection, the CPA was fumigated during fall break, according to Campus Recreation Director Jon Walker.
It turns out that the student was not a regular CPA user, but Walker and others decided that cleaning policies should be reviewed.
Afterwards, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer were placed throughout the CPA.
Walker and Lawson both advise personal hygiene as the best way to keep from contracting MRSA.
They recommend covering any cuts or sores, using the towels provided by the CPA and especially to shower after a workout so as not to spread bacteria to other campus facilities.
Another important to tip is to always use the wipes to disinfect the weight machines before and after use.
“[MRSA] is a major issue for recreation officials right now,” Walker said.
He also said that the CPA is planning educational events to give students more information about ways to prevent developing the skin infection.
Walker added that the pool is also a safe environment because of the chemicals used to keep the water clean.
He says that the CPA will be closed for a week following graduation, in order to complete an annual disinfection of the building.

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