HR0457

LRB095 12268 DRJ 36761 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 
3
(MRSA)
is a type of staphylococcal infection that is resistant 
4
to
treatment with the usual antibiotics; and

 
5
    WHEREAS, The proportion of infections which are 
6
antimicrobial
resistant in the United States has grown from 2% 
7
in 1974 to 63%
in 2004; and

 
8
    WHEREAS, MRSA occurs most frequently among individuals in

9
hospitals and health care facilities, particularly the 
10
elderly,
those undergoing dialysis, and those with surgical 
11
wounds; and

 
12
    WHEREAS, Individuals infected with MRSA are most likely to

13
have longer and more expensive hospital stays; and

 
14
    WHEREAS, Clusters of MRSA have been reported since 2000 
15
among
competitive sports teams, where it is transmitted through

16
personal contact, sharing towels or equipment, and sharing 
17
locker
facilities; and

 
18
    WHEREAS, Anyone, not just an infected patient, can be a

19
vehicle for the transmission of MRSA through skin-to-skin

20
contact; and 

 
 


 






HR0457
- 2 -
LRB095 12268 DRJ 36761 r




1
    WHEREAS, MRSA is a preventable disease when appropriate

2
hygienic practices, such as hand washing and appropriate first

3
aid for open wounds and active skin infections, are followed;

4
and
 
5
    WHEREAS, Countries such as Denmark, Finland, and the

6
Netherlands have successfully controlled MRSA through 
7
aggressive
interventions; therefore, be it
 
8
    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
9
NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
10
designate the week of June 10, 2007, as "MRSA Awareness Week" 
11
in this State; and be it further

 
12
    RESOLVED, That we recognize the importance of raising

13
awareness of MRSA and methods of preventing MRSA infections.