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Pets increasingly at risk from MRSA
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18 August 2005 Pets increasingly at risk from MRSA
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has formed a committee to investigate a growing number of cases of MRSA in pets. The first accounts of animals having MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureas) were revealed in 1972, but reports of the superbug have increased in regularity since 1999.
Pets such as dogs, cats, a rabbit and a horse have all been discovered as having MRSA in the past in the UK.
Estimates from the British Veterinary Association claim that in the region of 10 to 20 pets carry the bug each year.
Now experts believe that people could be infecting pets, and vice-versa.
Dr Donald Morrison, of the Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory which will be researching the subject with the government, told BBC News: "So far it seems to be a case of the patient passing it on to the pet, but there is no reason why it cannot be passed from pet to pet, and pet to human.
"However, it is too early to draw any firm conclusions, we need to look into this further."
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