MRSA Infection, Bed Bug Infestations Linked; Are You at Risk?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is commonly known as a "superbug." Now there is evidence of a connection between MRSA infection and bed bugs. Adding insult to injury, bed bug infestation numbers are on the rise. Are you at risk?

Understanding MRSA Infection

The National Center for Biotechnology Information defines Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as the type of bacteria-caused infection that resists a certain variety of antibiotics. In the common vernacular, MRSA would be termed a "superbug" because of this drug resistance. It is interesting to note that S. aureus is a kind of bacteria that already inhabits the human skin.

They only manage to enter the human body -- and cause problems -- through skin damage. If this occurs, S. aureus may cause a very minor infection, such as a pimple, or lead to extensive systemic damage. Even though these bacteria are common, the fact that "MRSA-related pneumonia and blood infections are associated with high death rates" is worrisome indeed.

Bed Bug Bites and MRSA Infection

Bed Bug Central explains that -- thus far -- a bed bug infestation was a nuisance, but far from being a major health concern. Pointing out that the ectoparasites did indeed carry in excess of 28 disease-causing pathogens, there had been no proof of any disease transmission caused by the insects' bites.

Today experts have to revise their evaluation related to the danger of a bed bug infestation. Canadian researchers -- as quoted by the Centers for Disease Control -- have found MRSA as well as Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. Even as it had been shown that bed bugs do not transmit other diseases, they are considered "vectors for transmission" in these instances.

What Bit You?

Whereas bed bug bites may now be tied to cases of MRSA infection, mosquito bites have long been associated with the transmission of about 50 arboviruses to humans. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control warns that these flying insects transmit a variety of diseases to "millions of people" during any given year. Some of the more famous ailments include encephalitis, malaria and heartworm disease.

Communities within the United States are frequently put on alert during the summer months, asking homeowners to drain standing water puddles. In California, property owners with ponds are asked to add insecticides targeting mosquito larvae to the water. There is a good chance that the discovery of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in bed bugs may result in more government involvement with respect to combating infestations.

Sources

National Center for Biotechnology Information: "MRSA"

Bed Bug Central: "Bed Bugs 101 - Disease & Bite Symptoms"

Centers for Disease Control: "Bedbugs as vectors for drug-resistant bacteria"

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control: "South Carolina Mosquitoes and Mosquito-borne Diseases"