Annual survey of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 2011

ESR conducts annual surveys of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Each year, all hospital and community microbiology laboratories in New Zealand are asked to refer all MRSA isolated during a one-month period to ESR. Laboratories provide epidemiological information with each isolate referred. At ESR, MRSA are typed to identify MRSA strains. The purpose of these annual surveys is to provide information on the epidemiology of MRSA in New Zealand and to monitor changes over time.