Are MRSA infections reported to health authorities?
Doctors, schools, correctional facilities and other entities are required by New Jersey Administrative Code to report suspected outbreaks of any disease, including MRSA, to the local health department within their jurisdiction. An outbreak is defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed cases diagnosed in the same time period and same location. In addition, Governor Corzine signed a bill this year requiring hospitals to report cases of MRSA to the state health department. We are hoping to have statistics on these healthcare-related infections in the next few years. FOR SCHOOLS Is MRSA reportable? Single cases of MRSA are not reportable, however, if there is a cluster (2 or more non-household cases) of MRSA infections within a school, the local health department should be contacted so they can determine if an outbreak might be occurring. Should infected students/employees be excluded from school? School should not be closed and classes should not be canceled. People who are infected are
