Hundreds Call Staph Infection Hot Line

By Dave Collins

Associated Press

HARTFORD – A new state hot line for questions about antibiotic-resistant staph infections drew more than 240 calls during its first day of operation Monday from parents and others concerned about the potentially fatal condition.

The hot line was set up after news that public school students in several Connecticut towns and students at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven came down with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. No deaths have been reported.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell said that most of the calls were from people who wanted to know how to avoid contracting the “superbug” and what its symptoms are.

“We continue to repeat that MRSA infections need to be taken seriously, but they are rarely fatal in previously healthy young people,” Rell said Monday in a statement. “Good hygiene is the best way to avoid infection from MRSA.”

Antibiotic-resistant staph infections have been confirmed in public schools in several towns, including Berlin, Glastonbury, Newtown, Prospect, Shelton, West Hartford and Weston.

Although the cases have been highly publicized, state health officials say MRSA has been around a long time and shows no signs of increasing in Connecticut this year. More than 730 MRSA cases have been reported in the state this year, compared with 880 last year and 954 in 2005.

Also Monday, state House Speaker James Amann hosted a meeting at the Legislative Office Building about a new anti-MRSA product, Goldshield5.

Officials from its manufacturer, NBS Technology LLC of Locust Valley, N.Y., said the nontoxic, water-based solution kills staph and other bacteria over long periods when applied to surfaces and clothing.

Amann, D-Milford, said he held the meeting to gain support for a pilot program at a hospital in Connecticut to see how well the product works. The program would not involve any state government funding, he said.

“State government has a responsibility to do everything possible to protect our citizens,” Amann said.

The meeting drew interest from hospitals, nursing homes and the Connecticut High School Coaches Association. MRSA tends to be found in medical care settings, locker rooms and on sports equipment.

“This is one product. There are others out there,” said Beth Sarnacki, who teaches in Cromwell and is president of the coaches’ association. But, she said, “I think it’s important to have information.”

Representatives from the Connecticut Hospital Association attended. The organization has taken no stance on Goldshield5.