Multiple LAPD Officers Infected with MRSA

In May, it was reported by multiple media outlets that three officers from a Los Angeles police department station contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly referred to as MRSA.

MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics, such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. MRSA infections are typically spread by having contact with someone’s skin infection. It may also occur from contact with personal items that have come in contact with MRSA or by touching contaminated surfaces.

In response, a representative from LAPD stated:

The health, safety and wellbeing of our Los Angeles Police Department officers is critical and we are ensuring the officers exposed to this disease are cared for. First responders throughout the region and especially here in Los Angeles are constantly responding to incidents that put them at risk of potential exposure to various diseases, and that’s why the Department takes this incident very seriously. All of the work areas that may have been exposed have been disinfected.

“While it is not known how all three officers contracted MRSA, the police department’s response of having work areas disinfected is important for preventing the possible spread of the bacteria to others,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “MRSA is known to survive on environmental surfaces for quite some time so cleaning and disinfection procedures are critical for stopping the spread of it and other superbugs. Surface testing for MRSA can help to identify exposure risks, verify cleaning and disinfection procedures, and help to pinpoint the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.”

To prevent the spread of MRSA and other microbial pathogens, LA Testing offers a comprehensive range of surface and environmental testing services, along with all of the sampling supplies needed. LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about environmental cleaning and disinfecting for MRSA that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/OLBXny-FuBk.

To learn more about MRSA, microbial pathogen testing or other environmental services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego and Ontario.

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