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INFECTION CONTROL AND THE CF COMMUNITY:
A Message of Concern
Some adults and children with cystic fibrosis who acquire Burkholderia cepacia complex suffer very serious health consequences. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) also has emerged as a potentially more serious cause of morbidity among individuals with CF,especially infants and young children. Furthermore, strong evidence exists indicating that both MRSA and some strains of B. cepacia complex can be transmitted from one individual to another. Although it is not possible to eliminate the risk that persons with CF may acquire B. cepacia complex or MRSA, the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) is seeking to reduce this risk as much as possible. It is therefore with great regret, that the CCFF has adopted the policy outlined below, concerning the participation of persons colonized with B. cepacia complex and/or MRSA in meetings and events organized by your Foundation, and by its associations, chapters, partners and supporters. This policy was adopted after considerable discussion and review of all available scientific data and the policies of other jurisdictions and countries. Please note that testing for B. cepacia complex or MRSA is NOT undertaken by the CCFF.
We want to say clearly to adults and children colonized by B. cepacia
complex or MRSA that you are valued members of your Foundation and of the
CF community at large. To the extent your capacity to contribute is
constrained, the whole CF effort in Canada is diminished. Your Foundation
is committed to exploring all possible means of permitting your continued
participation - short of personal attendance - in Foundation, association
and chapter affairs.
CCFF'S INFECTION CONTROL POLICY
It is the policy of the CCFF that persons who know they have tested positive* in the last 12 months for B. cepacia complex and/or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) shall not attend or
shall not be permitted to attend, in person, CCFF meetings and events where persons with CF may be in attendance. Persons with CF should be aware that some individuals may be in attendance at a meeting or event without knowing that they have B. cepacia complex, MRSA or other potentially harmful bacteria. These bacteria can be passed from one person to another. Some individuals with CF can experience a serious decline in health if they become colonized with B. cepacia complex. It is believed that persons with CF face a relatively low risk of acquiring B. cepacia complex or MRSA by
attending a meeting or meetings at which other individuals with CF are present. However, persons with CF are strongly cautioned to avoid prolonged, close physical contact with each other. Anyone with CF who attends a meeting does so at his or her own risk, and the CCFF accepts no responsibility for any risk to health involved in attendance, or in any social contact between persons with CF. Please contact your CF clinic director or the Foundation's office for further information.
* The Medical/Scientific Advisory Committee clarified that, for those who
have tested positive for B. cepacia complex or MRSA in the past, it would
be necessary that the four most recent, successive sputum cultures - taken
at three-month intervals - not culture positive, in order for an individual
to be considered "no longer positive" for B. cepacia complex or MRSA.
Revised February 2006
Clarification added January 2003
December 2000
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