"Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says extreme measures to 'disinfect' an environment such as a school really are not the most important procedure in controlling the transmission of MRSA.

Dr. Srinivasan says while it is understandable that people are concerned it must be emphasised that MRSA is a common cause of skin infection and almost all of these infections are readily treated by commonly available antibiotics and by draining the lesions.

Dr. Srinivasan says that hand hygiene is by far the best means to prevent the spread of all diseases.

Experts say the key to dealing with MRSA is early diagnosis and then the completion of a full course of antibiotic treatment.

The public needs to watch for wounds that do not heal and are not helped with normal antibiotic treatment."