News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABBOTSFORD, BC, April 6, 2004 - Five federal offenders at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford have been diagnosed with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

All five cases have been transferred to the Correctional Service of Canada's Regional Medical Hospital located in the Regional Treatment Centre for contact isolation while treatment is initiated. To date, no new cases have been reported at the institution. No staff, visitors or volunteers have reported symptoms.

The CSC is following health guidelines in accordance with the direction from the Contracted Infectious Disease Specialist Physician, BC Center for Disease Control, and the local public health units.

Health personnel have informed staff and inmates at the institution of the situation, and provided information on the mode of transmission and prevention. The best way to prevent infection is to wash hands frequently and thoroughly.

MRSA (commonly referred to as a Super bug) is a strain of Staphylococcus Aureus (SA) which are bacteria found in the nose and/or on the skin of about three out of 10 healthy people. The bacteria will not normally harm a healthy person. But if SA do get into or through skin, they can cause a skin infection.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Dennis Finlay
Regional Communications Manager
(604) 870-2680