Plea to Pet Owners – MRSA Panic Unnecessary
30 March 2005
Commenting today (Wednesday) on fears being generated over MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) in pets, the President-Elect of the BVA (British Veterinary Association) Dr Freda Scott-Park begged pet owners not to panic. “The alarm being generated is completely unnecessary,” she said. “While MRSA has been isolated from a variety of domestic animals it is important for people to realise that the incidence is still very, very low.”
Dr Scott-Park stressed that “any loss of a much-loved pet, whatever the cause, is tragic, but the circumstances surrounding the death of the dog that has triggered the latest concerns were, to say the least, extremely unusual as well as deeply regrettable. Clearly awareness of the potential dangers of MRSA is vital but detailed information was provided to the veterinary profession at the beginning of the year (via the Journal of Small Animal Practice, the journal of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA)). Practical advice and guidelines to the profession will also continue to be issued as and when relevant information becomes available.”
Dr Scott-Park continued: “Current scientific evidence supports the opinion that the risk of pet-transmitted MRSA is small and that pet owners who undertake hygienic precautions are at minimal risk. MRSA does not normally harm healthy people including pregnant women, babies and children. Furthermore, there are no proven recorded cases of MRSA jumping from animal to human. High-risk individuals (long-term sick, elderly or patients with a poor immune system for example) may need to take extra care while vets need to remain aware of the need for extra precautions when treating similarly potentially vulnerable animals.”
In emphasising that there was already widespread awareness within the veterinary profession of MRSA and the problems that could occur Dr Scott-Park noted that the BVA’s “major concern at present relates to MRSA passing from humans to animals, the more likely path," which was why she said “we are urging vets to adopt best practice and take precautions - use sterile gloves, masks and scrub suits during operations - to prevent animals getting the organism.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors
For further information please contact the BVA Press Office on 020 7636 6541 or media@bva.co.uk.