NYC Fire Academy Takes Steps To Curb MRSA Outbreak
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The FDNY is taking steps to prevent infection after more than a dozen probationary firefighters were diagnosed with the drug-resistant staph infection called MRSA.
A specialized cleaning company will disinfect showers and other high-risk areas at the fire academy at Randall's Island over the Labor Day weekend, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.
NYC Fire Academy Takes Steps To Curb MRSA Outbreak
Additionally, the trainees' gear will be laundered with a product that kills MRSA, Nigro said.
Physical training activity at the facility is canceled until Tuesday.
The department is also revising training procedures.
Because most of the infections developed from open knee wounds, trainees will now wear knee pads for activities that involve crawling on all fours. The department will cover asphalt surfaces where the crawling exercises take place with rubber mats.
Probationary firefighters with open wounds will sit out physical training classes..
The probationary firefighters have also been given an anti-bacterial product to use when they shower, WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported.
The department said it's acting aggressively to understand how this occurred and how to eradicate the superbug, Murnane reported.
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