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Joe Raedle / Getty Images 
Joe Raedle / Getty Images
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More than 119,000 people have been diagnosed with Staphylococcus aureus infections in the United States in 2017, and almost 20,000 died – a significant slowing in the declining rates of infections with the bacteria.
From 2005 to 2013, the rates of methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections diagnosed in hospitals declined on average 17.1% every year. But no significant change in the rates of infection, according to the report, released Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We think that while individual hospitals, health care facilities, communities, and certainly the VA system can be continued to make progress, the national plateau that we are seeing [CDC infection control] recommendations, "said Dr. Anne Schuchat, senior deputy director of the CDC.
Staphylococcus aureus, known as staph, is a commonly found in the skin and in the noses of healthy people. Staph is either methicillin-sensitive staph aureus (MSSA) or methicillin-resistant staph aureus. MSSA bacteria responds to a class of antibiotics known as beta-lactam antibiotics – including methicillin, penicillin, oxacillin and amoxicillin – and MRSA bacteria do not. Both MRSA and MSSA can cause infections, bloodstream infections, sepsis and even death.
"CDA Director Dr. Robert Redfield said in a news release. "U.S. hospitals have made significant progress, but this report provides that all staph infections must remain a priority priority for healthcare providers."
Those at greatest risk for serious staph infections include those who are in the same position, those who have medical devices in their bodies,
In addition to being transmitted in the hospital, MRSA can occur in the community. According to the report, the rates of decline for MRSA are 6.9% annually from 2005 to 2016. The rates of MSSA infections in the community, on the other hand, are on the rise – increasing on average 3.9% per year, according to the report.
In 2016, 9% of all serious staph infections occurred in people who inject drugs, up from 4% in 2011, according to the CDC. The authors suggest that the increase in staph infections in the community may be linked to the nation's opioid crisis.
The authors also urge health care providers to protect them by implementing CDC recommendations, as well as the use of gloves and gowns.
Dr. Athena Kourtis, Associate Director for CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, said: "We know infection prevention and control works, it's not one-size-fits-all. Additional strategies "may be needed in certain circumstances and patients, to ensure optimal prevention and the best outcome for patients."
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