Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the evidence basis for her assertion to Dáil Éireann on 30 September 2008 that 30% of the population are carriers of MRSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34025/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Infection Control Sub-committee of the Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistance in Ireland (SARI) published guidelines for the control and prevention of MRSA in hospitals and the community in 2005. This document represents the expert opinion of the sub-committee, following a review of the scientific literature and an extensive consultation exercise. In this document it explains that MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.

Staphylococcus Aureus is a bacterium that is found in about one third of individuals, mainly in the nose but can also reside on the skin. It is generally not a problem except when it gains entry to deep tissues, bloodstream and the lungs. This can lead to surgical site or wound infection, bloodstream infection or bacteraemia.

Early penicillin antibiotics were effective in the treatment of such infections. However, many strains have become resistant and as methicillin was amongst the first anti-staphylococcal agents used, these strains have subsequently been known as MRSA. This resistant form is much less common in the general community and would be probably around 1-2% in the general population. However, in certain groups, the elderly or people who have recently been in hospital or are receiving antibiotics, this will be higher.