Two Beaty Towers residents were sent home for treatment after contracting a highly contagious super bug.
Both students were diagnosed with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, last week after showing symptoms of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria, UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes confirmed Monday. Symptoms of the bacteria, which is spread through hand contact, include swollen skin and fever.
The infections came from both Beaty East and Beaty West, Sikes said. All common areas in the residence hall along with the infected students’ rooms were cleaned with a disinfectant that protects against the bacteria.
“There is no evidence to show that they are connected,” she said. “We have no reason to believe there will be another case.”
Sikes said an email was sent to residents to encourage them to practice good hygiene by washing hands, keeping cleaned cuts covered and avoiding sharing personal items.
“It’s fairly common in these kinds of environments to spread colds and flu and germs,” she said.
Catherine Seemann, a communications coordinator for the Student Health Care Center, said the biggest culprit is sweaty gym equipment.
“Make sure you are cleaning equipment before and after you use it,” she said.
Seemann said the center offers free hand sanitizer, which may help in keeping you germ free, and she recommends speaking with a health care provider if symptoms are spotted.
“They’re going to be the best judge of what next steps you need to take to get better,” she said.
