TROPICAL HEALTH Cleanliness key in super bug battle

WASH your hands, cover up cuts and wear insect repellent, the number of cases of a potentially deadly infectious skin disease is on the rise in the Far North.

There have been 17 staphrelated presentations to Cairns Hospital in the last six months, compared to eight presentations in the same period last year.

James Cook University infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist John McBride said while the numbers weren’t high, of more concern was the increase in staph infections which were resistant to antibiotics.

“Staph is a very common infection at any time and we’ve certainly had more than that before,” he said.

“The trend over the last decade or more has been an increase in the number of staph infections which don’t respond to antibiotics which has been leading doctors to take swabs and send them to the lab to make sure what strains are causing the infections.

“It used to be very rare in north Queensland but now it’s extremely common. At the same time, there was a hospital strain which … disappeared.

“For minor infections, some doctors might not always take a swab but the message from a specialist is you can’t assume.

“The resistant ones are now becoming so common we really should be using different drugs to target them.”

Prof McBride said a “quite healthy person” could develop a staph infection resistant to antibiotics.

Tropical Public Health Ser- Daintree ulcer (also known as buruli ulcer): vices Cairns director Dr Richard Gair said staph skin infections could affect anyone.

“Crowding and frequent skin-to-skin contact can increase the risk of infection, so outbreaks tend to happen in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, schools, and childcare centres,” he said.

“People who have health problems such as diabetes or a poor immune system or who have broken skin are more likely to get an infection.

“In most cases, you can avoid developing a staph skin infection through basic hygiene. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water and dry them with a clean towel, or disposable paper towel.

“In particular, wash your hands before and after touching or cleaning an infected area, after going to the bathroom, after blowing your nose, before handling and eating food and after handling animals, including domestic pets.”

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