A new type of highly drug-resistant “flesh-eating” methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria is being spread, allegedly through sexual contact among gay men in San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, according to a new study. The report, published online by the journal, Annals of Internal Medicine, found the greatest concentration of those infected by a form of the bacteria to be in San Francisco’s Castro and among gay men who receive treatment for HIV in health facilities in San Francisco and Boston. The report alleged the bacteria seemed to be spread most easily through anal intercourse, but also through casual skin-to-skin contact and touching contaminated surfaces. The new strain is apparently closely related to earlier ones. Both are known as MRSA USA300. The newer strain is supposedly much more difficult to treat because it is resistant not just to methicillin, but also several other antibiotics used to treat the earlier strains. There is talk that the overuse of antibiotics has caused the antibiotic-resistant strain to mutate.

Some critics are cynical about the study - especially that it focused on the Castro and not other areas of the City, such as South of Market. Others are angry that the notion of gay sex is being hyped as the cause. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the bacteria affect only about one percent of the population, which has prompted several doctors to propose that fears of the bacteria might be overblown.

The Human Rights Campaign has stated that this is a case of rightwing bigots returning to 1980 HIV/AIDS fear-mongering tactics. “We saw this kind of hysteria in the early 1980’s around HIV/AIDS,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “I’ll be damned if we will sit idly by in 2008 and let them perpetrate that type of anti-gay hysteria again without calling them out on it.” Based on a Jan. 15 story by the Reuters News Agency about a new strain of staph infection affecting gay men, the rightwing group, Concerned Women for America, well known for its bigotry, took the opportunity to promote its anti-gay hatred. HRC’s Solmonese called CWA’s statements “lies and distortions.”

“We’ve come to expect hysteria and gross distortions from an organization like this, and normally their bigoted rants don’t even warrant a response. But the statement today about MRSA is beyond the pale.” He elaborated, “In typical fashion, they disregard the facts and instead chose to demagogue the issue in order to fear-monger.” He said, “Serious medical issues deserve serious consideration, not wildly off-the-mark press releases from anti-gay groups trying to capture media attention.”

STOP AIDS Project will be holding a forum on Wednesday evening, Jan. 30 from 7-9 p.m. entitled “Multi-Resistant Staph Infections: a Community Responds.” Organizers say attendees can get the latest information from health experts and learn how we can take care of each other. The location will be posted on the STOP AIDS Project website at stopaids.org as soon as it is confirmed. Fact sheets and other informational materials on staph infections will be made available to attendees and on the website.

Panelists will include Erica Pan from the Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Section of the San Francisco Department of Public Health; a representative from the STD Control Branch of the SF DPH; and other health experts and community health advocates. Presentations will be followed by a question and answer period with attendees, facilitated by Hunter Hargraves, Community Initiatives Coordinator of the STOP AIDS Project.

STOP AIDS Project had planned a forum on multi-resistant staph infections for the end of February; however, multiple phone calls and requests from community members prompted the change in date. Updates on the forum will be posted at the website or by contacting (415) 575-0160 x 232 or emailing hhargraves@stopaids.org. Meanwhile people are advised to take that good ol’ motherly advice – wash your hands often and thoroughly with plain soap and water.