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Dr. Kim Mulvihill reporting A dangerous new strain of a superbug is spreading around the world.
This strain is a bacterial bully. It's taking over in the world of underground microbes and causing infections in otherwise healthy individuals.
The bacteria, called MRSA, has been around since the sixties. The newer strain also has a name: it called "USA 300" It's a virulent staph bacteria - was first identified by scientists in this lab at San Francisco General Hospital.
Besides being resistant to some powerful antibiotics, this new strain is also more toxic to human tissue. It can jump quickly from bumps and boils to deadly blood and lung infections. MRSA infections used to be found only in hospitals and nursing homes. But in the early 90's it jumped out into the community. And this new strain is infecting otherwise healthy individuals, including children
The bacteria can live inside the nose or in warm moist areas of the body or skin. It can be easily spread by contact or thru cuts and abrasions. Experts believe about eight percent of people carry this new strain in their noses.
