Horses & MRSA

According to the Center for Disease Control, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections have increased among horses and horse personnel. MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant staph infection that can produce potentially serious infections in wounds. According to the University of Florida, symptoms include redness, swelling, heat, pain and abscess formation.

Transmission

• Humans and many animals can carry the MRSA bacteria on their skin or in their nasal passages without symptoms. According to the University of Florida, although few horses carry the bacteria in their nasal passages, some farms may have 50 percent of the horses carrying it. The bacteria from horses can infect humans.

Warning

• The CDC considers MRSA in horses to be a health concern because horses may become a community reservoir for the bacteria. The CDC states, " Further study is required to clarify the role of this pathogen in equine disease and transmission between horses and humans."

Prevention

• The University of Florida recommends washing hands between handling different horses and before touching your face or eating. Also recommended is keeping cuts covered until healed, avoiding touching wounds and avoiding sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, with other people.

Severity

• MRSA as a skin abscess can be treated successfully with some nonresistant antibiotics and usually heals without complications, especially of treated early. MRSA, which infects surgical wounds, can be more serious and will probably require hospitalization.