Staph Superbugs in the Spotlight on Capitol Hill
Posted on November 8, 2007
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A hearing on Capitol Hill Wednesday examined the public health challenges of dealing with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform heard expert testimony from witnesses who addressed MRSA prevention, risk reduction, and the potential role of the government in combating the lethal superbug. In addition to focusing on the growing threat of MRSA in our communities, the testimony underscored the larger public health issue of antibiotic resistant microbes.
The hearing was prompted by recent media focus on MRSA following a report by the Centers for Disease Control that indicated MRSA can be blamed for more than 18,000 deaths each year in the United States. Coinciding with the CDC report was news that children in Virginia, New Hampshire, Mississippi, and New York died from MRSA infections in October.
Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the CDC, addressed the Committee first. She summarized the CDC’s statistical data on staph infections, and described the role of the CDC in monitoring and preventing community-acquired MRSA.
The Committee heard from several other medical professionals, including Dr. James E. Burns of the Virginia Department of Health who discussed Virginia’s response following the MRSA related death of 17-year-old Ashton Bonds last month. Dr. Elizabeth Bancroft, a Los Angeles County epidemiologist, spoke about the public health implications of community-acquired MRSA and Chicago pediatrician Robert Daum covered emerging issues in the treatment of MRSA in the community. Dr. Eric Gayle, a family medicine specialist, testified about the role of the primary care physician in managing MRSA infections.
Testimony about mitigating the impact of MRSA infections in schools was presented by Steven Walts, Superintendent of the Prince William County school district in Virginia. He described disinfection efforts in schools and outreach to parents.
Transcripts of the November 7, 2007 hearing are available on the Web site of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Additional hearings on antibiotic resistance in hospitals and public health consequences will be held by the Committee this spring.
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