NOKESVILLE, VA. - A third victim had been hospitalized after contracting MRSA at the Prince William County Public Safety Training Center.
The center in Nokesville was closed about 5 p.m. Thursday, after two county fire and rescue employees were diagnosed with the staph bacteria, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, known to be resistant to some antibiotics.
The center is scheduled to reopen Monday. It is used to train police, fire, rescue and other public safety personnel from Prince William County and the Greater Washington area.
The first victim told officials he had a small wound.
"Approximately one week ago, a Department of Fire and Rescue employee reported a wound on the ankle that resembled a spider bite. The employee was immediately sent to an Occupational Health facility for a medical evaluation," said Prince William spokeswoman Nikki Brown.
Investigators from the Health and Safety Office and EMS Training Section suspected MRSA as the cause of the wound and disinfected the surfaces touched by the victim.
More than 48 hours later, a second employee showed similar symptoms and was treated, said Brown.
Afterward, officials limited access to the facility to reduce the risk of exposure.
On Thursday afternoon, a group of volunteer firefighters scheduled to take an exam at the facility were turned away to a nearby firehouse.
A special cleaning crew will be brought in over the weekend to disinfect the building, and em-ployee's personal protective equipment was packaged, sealed and sent away for cleaning, said Brown.
MRSA can cause skin infections that appear as red bumps. Those infections may be painful, can cause swelling and may be accompanied by a fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The spread of MRSA can be avoided by keeping cuts and scrapes covered, frequent hand washing, not sharing towels and razors and by promptly treating skin infections, according to the CDC.
MRSA is common around gyms and workout areas, and in recent years has prompted gym owners to place hand sanitizer, disinfectant and hand towels near workout machines to encourage gym goers to wipe and disinfect machines after using them.
Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-530-3905.
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