Is your vet a health risk?

Vets that work with horses are more likely than other vets to carry methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to an Australian study.

The researchers, led by Dr David Jordan, collected nasal swabs from 771 individuals, who were also asked for details of the type of work they did and with which species.

Analysis of the data showed that veterinarians that worked mainly or exclusively with horses were more likely the carry MRSA in their nostrils.

MRSA was present in 5.8% of those taking part in the study. However, the data revealed differences depending on the type of work the individuals performed.

Positive swabs were obtained from 11.9% of veterinarians who spent a lot of their time on horse work. (This was 13 times that of the vets involved in industry or government work. Less than 1% of them had positive swabs).

The figures were even higher among people who worked only with horses.  The results showed that 21.35% of them had nasal swabs positive for MRSA. (They were 23 times more likely to have their nostrils colonised by MRSA than were vets working for government or industry.)

Considering the extent of carriage of MRSA and the seriousness of the disease it can cause in humans and animals, Dr Jordan recommended that vets should take more precautions to prevent the spread of MRSA

"The higher than normal prevalence of MRSA carriage among veterinary clinicians in Australia is a cause for concern in the profession and warrants further investigation for specific risk factors, particularly for vets who work with horses"

He suggests that guidelines specific for equine work are needed. These should include: "enhanced personal hygiene during handling of animals; better sanitary management of premises, equipment and waste; greater awareness of biosecurity during handling and surgical procedures; and reform of use of antibiotics - especially those of importance in human medicine such as the fluoroquinolones, third generation cephalosporins and gentamicin."

Read more at www.equinescienceupdate.com