MRSA Invades The House Of Representatives Gym

Frank Bailey
Frank Bailey
Contributor
Posted by Frank BaileyApril 15, 2009 5:04 PM

MRSA has invaded the House of Representatives gym. The gym is used by some of the most powerful people in government. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, is a regular. I have been blogging about MRSA in hospitals, but never imagined it would reach the House of Representatives gym.

A statement from the House Chief Administrative Officer released yesterday stated:

“A House employee has reportedly contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). That House employee is also a member of the House Staff Fitness Center (HSFC).”

“As a precautionary measure and in accordance with the recommendations of the Office of the Attending Physician, the HSFC has thoroughly disinfected the House gym .The HSFC is in the process of notifying its members of the possible exposure and providing educational resources for gym members.”

An e-mail sent to House employees Tuesday by Kathy Zumbar, the House gym’s wellness and fitness coordinator, stated, “The infected employee will stay away from the gym until the condition has healed completely. The gym has been scoured the place clean with “Simple Green D Pro 3 disinfectant, virucidal, fungicidal.”

Staph infections often begin with a small cut, which gets infected with bacteria. Infections can range from the “simple boil” to “flesh-eating” conditions. The staph infection is contagious if the wound is draining, and can be especially dangerous “if people share towels or other items that are contaminated.”

Some lawmakers who sleep in their offices shower in the House gym. Will they become infected?

Can this be a blessing in disguise that this terrible infection is now at the heart of our government? Will this be enough to force lawmakers to take action and require hospitals to follow the SHEA and CDC Guidelines to prevent the spread of these infections? For those of you who read this and are familiar with disinfectants, is the Simple Green D Pro 3 a good choice?

20 Comments

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MRSArecovery
Posted by MRSArecovery
April 15, 2009 8:56 PM

Hello everyone,

Our family was viciously attacked by MRSA and we nearly lost all of our lives.
We almost lost our oldest son to it within 72 hrs.
MRSA also attacked my youngest son and myself.
The boils that my son's had grew to the size of small grapefruits and destroy the flesh in the surrounding area.

As you can imagine we were horrified. We sought out medical intervention and antibiotics failed to help. our doctor threw several antibiotics at my son's infection. The antibiotics failed to keep the infection from coming back.
After speaking to an infectious disease doctor, doing my own research and networking with others struggling with MRSA,
I came to the conclusion that MRSA is rapidly evolving and becoming resistant to all antibiotics.
At that point we decided to run from this vicious cycle of throwing antibiotics at an antibiotic resistant infection.
We prayed and researched until we found something that would save our family.
MRSA was literally eating away at us and what we found stopped MRSA from killing us. It is called Allimed, stable allicin.
This is the first time in history that allicin in garlic has been stabilized.
Since we used Allimed we did not need further medical care though we informed our doctors of our decision and continued under their observation.
We dealt with MRSA ourselves and have not had it return for any of us in 3 years.
Before using Allimed the boils were coming every few weeks.

If we are to survive this era of resistant bacteria, then we will have to think outside the box. What once saved us from infections (antibiotics), is now killing us. The very nature of antibiotics encourage bacterial resistance.
Shortly after Penicillin was discovered, bacteria became resistant and now we find ourselves in the vicious cycle of throwing more and more antibiotics at resistant bacteria. LINK

We must see that the era of antibiotic success is now leaving us. If we don't have our eyes wide open, mankind may not survive this pandemic.
I hope our story will help to save lives as our family was saved.
Since our family's recovery, we have been helping others to recover worldwide.
I welcome emails from anyone who wants our help.
God bless, Cathy
Cathy@optimalhealthusa.com
MRSA info and our recovery:
LINK

Scientific Research Files:
Abstract, Dr. Ronald Cutler:
http:// LINK /files/Allimed_-_EJNR.pdf
LINK

Current news reports regarding stable allicin:
250 people recover from MRSA using stable Allicin:
LINK ,2933,365884,00.html

LINK



Joe
Posted by Joe
April 16, 2009 7:03 AM

Ozone air purifiers would be my choice to complete the sanitation.

Gamy BioGuardian Inc.
Posted by Gamy BioGuardian Inc.
April 16, 2009 10:31 AM

The first comment out of this report strikes me as a divine intervention. I am very glad that this family has been able to get rid of this superbug. It must have been hell.
My responsibility as part of the human kind and as Director of Operation of the company I represent I would like to add to the story the following information.
There are thousand of products out in the market claiming to be able to kill this or that germ. Probably it is important to note that I do not blame manufactures but I put the burden on us, humans. Labels of all these products clearly show what they do. What they claim they kill. What and how you must do to kill those germs they say they kill. If you do not follow these simple instructions, you kill nothing.
There are disinfectants out in the market that kill MRSA, there are in fact disinfectants that actually make it stronger or more resistant. One very common is bleach.
I am not going to use this posting as a commercial for my company because our mission is to make people aware of these issues and now we can help them with our BioGuard System Beyond Clean.
Whether you use our unique system and processes or any other you must make them accountable for what they say they will do. The gym did nothing of the sort. They bought because of marketing.
In this news article I can tell you why my company can help you understand our mission. If we take for granted that the news is correct (this is something I normally will not do) then let us all be concern. Because if you look into the product, that according to the article was used to disinfect, they should close that gym now. Let me explain.
The product: Simple Green D Pro 3 disinfectant, virucidal, fungicidal.” The marketing is extraordinary, fantastic! Green number one, Pro number two and then disinfectant sort of like saying because "i am a disinfectant do not doubt me, I kill all bacteria, all virus etc” Now my friends this is not so easy.
Number one let us look at the products MSDS. For those of you that do not know what this is ( Material Safety Data Sheets) these are used to guide managers or supervisor or really anybody in a building to know what to do if a person has contact with this product. Sorry, I went too long here. Let us look at the MSDS: the number one thing that strokes me as I read into it is that it is flammable! Remember is green but yet is Flammable? Wow that was amazing. The other amazing thing is that it reaches the point of flame or fire at > 200F! Ladies and gent this is less than boiling point!
Now let us go to the label of this product this is where are just decided to send a note to my congressman to make sure he stays away from that gym. The label states clearly that it does not kill MRSA. It does kill some S. aureus but not MRSA. The article explains that the gym was totally disinfected with this product. Now my friends, now that I have just showed you why I believe they need to close it down and let us handle it. Do you think that it is disinfected?
this is the MSDS

LINK

This is the label

LINK

William Buckman
Posted by William Buckman
April 16, 2009 11:45 AM

The comment above stating the need to read labels and specifically the Material Safety Data Sheet and Fact Sheets (if you can get or find them) is critical to using an material for cleaning and/or disinfection. I have been following the MRSA issue for some time both in the United States and in England. England has a particularly difficult time with MRSA and in the literature and news articles (which is the tip of the iceberg), MRSA is creeping into the United States. Go to Google Alerts and subscribe to MSRA and see the articles that are listed daily. I agree with the writers above that MRSA and similar materials (MSSA, etc.) will become a critical issue in our health well being in the near future. YES, THE HOUSE STAFF FITNESS CENTER (HSFC) MUST (SHALL) BE CLOSED AND DISINFECTED wWITH THE PROPER MATERIAL(s) IMMEDIATELY. EVERY NUCK AND CRANNY MUST BE TREATED, NO SINGLE SPOT IS TP SMALL OR HARD TO GET TO THAT SHOULD MOT BE DISINFECTED. IT SHOULD NOT BE A ONCE OVER AND ITS FINE, CLEANING. This is a critical issue.

Frank BaileyInjury Board Attorney Member
Posted by Frank Bailey
April 16, 2009 12:31 PM

Thanks to Cathy, Joe, Gamy BioGuardian, and William for their very informative comments. It sounds to me like the gym is still not clean...
Wonder how we could let the staff there know the gym may not be safe after all?

Carol Chapin
Posted by Carol Chapin
April 16, 2009 12:44 PM

Simple Green d Pro 3 has a current EPA-stamped label that authorizes use for killing MRSA. This label is federally registered, and is currently going through full States registration - it may already be complete, I haven't had the chance yet to verify this. Therefore, product exists in the marketplace that is not labeled for MRSA, but the product as it is currently sold has been tested and verified effective against MRSA. I'm sure that this information was presented to the decision makers at this gym. The concentrate is flammable, but the use solution of 1:64 is not. The BRAND name is Simple Green, but there are no "green claims" made for this product - that is against the law. If anyone has questions about our product or its applicability to this very serious situation, please call 800-228-0709, or visit our web site at LINK Although we strive to create the most environmentally responsible cleaners possible, we take public health VERY seriously, and do not play around with killing things such as MRSA.

gamy bioguardian inc
Posted by gamy bioguardian inc
April 16, 2009 1:26 PM

Ms. Chapin as I stated in my comment I do not blame or put the burden on companies like you. But you brought this up so I will respond. I am going to go back to my comment the product was sold by a great marketing and if you were involved in it I commend you. Does any of us think that "green" was used just because the color of the product is green? If you read the MSDS you will see that they also use a pine fragance. Why? Maybe Ms. Chapin could inform us.
I went to the state of Giorgia website to get this informtion prior to Ms. Chapin comment and this is what I found. Also noticed that the date of update of this EPA letter is as recent as March of this year.
LINK
Please, for all of you that do not know all disinfectants are considered pesticide according to the EPA. Germs are animals after all.
There is absolutely nothing about MRSA. I personally have never seen in a letter or statement from the EPA allowing a product to claim something that it is not.
Furthermore, I would like to agree with Mr. Buckman that they need to check all areas: "EVERY NUCK AND CRANNY" because MRSA still there. Furthermore, I challange your company to have the area tested now and let it be independently tested. This will be accountability from your part.

gamy Bioguardian Inc
Posted by gamy Bioguardian Inc
April 16, 2009 1:45 PM

I have found something that Ms Chapin was refering to ealrier about her company's product.
please click on 2007 September 26th. This will tell you that they actually kill MRSA. Now the question still is on how it was done. Did the gym followed label directions? Did they go to all nuck and cranny? did they leave the product wet on all areas treated for 10 minutes? these will be the question still not answer.

Carol Chapin
Posted by Carol Chapin
April 16, 2009 1:58 PM

Thank you for correcting yourself. Perhaps Bioguardian should contact the gym and offer their services to test every nook and cranny?
You are correct that the user(s) would have to follow all label instruction, dilute properly, assure full 10-minute contact prior to rinse, and assure contact with all possible contaminated surfaces to achieve complete eradication of MRSA.

Carol Chapin
Posted by Carol Chapin
April 16, 2009 2:04 PM

One last thing - you are correct that the "green" in our name comes from the color of our original product. Simple Green brand is 35 years old. Back when our product originated, no one cared about "green" in the environmental sense. The product was marketed as simple to use because the deep green color could be used as a gauge for proper dilution without having to break out the measuring cups. So the "Green" in our name does stand for the color! Also, the pine fragrance in the d Pro 3 product is there for deodorizing purposes, and to notify the user that an area has been treated.

Frank BaileyInjury Board Attorney Member
Posted by Frank Bailey
April 16, 2009 4:17 PM

Carol and Gamy Biogaurdian Inc, Thank you for you comments. What would it cost to test the gym for MRSA now that it has been cleaned? Carol, would your company be willing to do that? It would be a great marketing tool, but a little dangerous...What do you think?

HillStaffer
Posted by HillStaffer
April 16, 2009 4:26 PM

Just to clarify, this occured at the staff fitness center. Members of Congress use a much more private facility in a different building. I can gurantee that Rahm Emanuel has never been in this center. Still scary though.

Carol Chapin
Posted by Carol Chapin
April 16, 2009 4:34 PM

Dear Frank:
The testing has been done to the satisfaction of the US Environmental Protection Agency, or else they would not register the disinfectant. On-site testing is not our area of expertise and I cannot comment on how it might be done or who would pay for it. Ultimately, it would be the perogative of the gym. Since they are calling efficacy into question, what does Bioguardian do? If Bioguardian does testing, I would be happy to speak with them and with the decision makers at the gym to determine if testing should be done, what the cost would be, and who would bear the expense.

Frank BaileyInjury Board Attorney Member
Posted by Frank Bailey
April 16, 2009 5:26 PM

Gamy Biogaurdian Inc, What do you think about Carol's offer?
Hill staffer, thanks for the correction. Is it true though, that the staffers are the ones that run our country?

gamy bioguardian inc
Posted by gamy bioguardian inc
April 16, 2009 5:54 PM

"The solution used to disinfect is the same solution used on a daily basis, Simple Green D Pro 3 disinfectant, virucidal, fungicidal. This was performed in accordance with the directives of the Office of the Attending Physician and in a manner consistent with specific product manufacturer labeling."
Frank this come from the writer of the news from Politico. This is my company concern. I think I have established that the product is not the issue. I do not believe that a single product can effectively get rid of MRSA. I am going to say this not to put down anyone but we want to think logically: If this product, according to the article, was used daily the question is why was MRSA there in the first place? This tells you that they do not have an effective protocol to combat the bug. Again the location must have a system that is in place that is done quarterly and in this system a testing of the location must be done.
Bioguardian Inc. is not a lab but we can find independent labs to do the testing.
Cost is normally based on square footage. It also takes a visit from me or one of the owners of the company to assess what we have there. The location may be cleaned but if you go in and you can smell something out of the ordinary even hiding in the pine fragrance you know that there is something that they have not disinfected. It could be a mat, equipment, the lockers, showers etc. It could be anywhere. This is why a test of different areas is important and necessary. Our certified technicians will then have an idea where to start.
The system require us to deeply clean the area, then with UV light we check to see if we miss any bodily fluid, then with an atomizer we saturate the area with the bioengineered EPA registered formula BioGuard and let it air dry. After all is done we apply an antimicrobial EPA registered formula which protects the area for the next 90 days. We will do testing within this time which the user is required to pay for. We have several programs for buildings, homes, cars, yachts, cruise lines, hotels etc. any immediate environment.
Give you a number would be inappropriate of me at this time. But I assure you that we all have to be concern about this and we feel we have the right approach to solve this issue.

gamy bioguardian inc
Posted by gamy bioguardian inc
April 16, 2009 6:27 PM

hillstaffer, can you get me the email, phone number or a way to contact the people responsible to correct this problem?
Frank, I will try to get in touch. But I assure you that they will reject my offer eventhough, it is better for them and it could be that it will not cost them any money.
Frank I have a Daily reading and I have several articles about how bacteria transfers. how long they stay in the area affected etc. It is really a nice reading and is daily.
What would like me to use to send it to you?

Carol Chapin
Posted by Carol Chapin
April 16, 2009 7:35 PM

I would like to correct something being floated here - - - "If this product, according to the article, was used daily the question is why was MRSA there in the first place?" Nowhere is it said that the facility was fully disinfected because MRSA was found in the facility. A gym member notified the gym that he/she has MRSA. That prompted the gym to act proactively and do a full and complete disinfection process on the gym and to notify its members.

Although Gamy Biogardian has been careful not to state that our product or company has done anything "wrong" he initially implied that the product was not registered or authorized to kill MRSA, and he is now implying that MRSA may still be present in the gym. There is absolutely no proof that MRSA was ever in the gym in the first place! And the fact that there is now a multi-product proposal being put forth to REPLACE what has proactively been done - without any evidence that the current solution is not sufficient or effective just doesn't seem right to me.

gamy bioguardian inc
Posted by gamy bioguardian inc
April 16, 2009 9:14 PM

Ms. Chapin,
"that the product was not registered or authorized to kill MRSA, and he is now implying that MRSA may still be present in the gym." this is your statement so let us analize it. When i started the investigation of your product there was nothing on the label or the MSDS that indicated that your product killed MRSA. You did not know of the letter issued in 2007 because I was the one that founded. So please understand that I am in your side. Let us logically think about this: how long was this staff going to the gym? what hard surfaces did he contacted and how long it took him to realized that he was ill? He probably took showers, went to the bathroom, etc. So yes, MRSA is probably there unless the facility has a protocol that disinfect areas as is directed in the label of your product and they saturate the area with your product making sure EVERY NUCK AND CRANNY has been disinfected. This is all I said. I also stated that it is a system that will work here and all other areas not just one product the bug is too smart! I have been very careful not to imply anything but say where my investigation take me. Please do not take this as an attack just understand that it is a human concern. There are people getting hurt out there and we know we have something that will make it more difficult to the bug to get stronger.
Hope this puts you at ease.

HillStaffer
Posted by HillStaffer
April 17, 2009 9:34 AM

Gamy-
Kathy Zumbar runs the gym faciltiy and can be reached at (202)225-1500. Hope this helps.

Brad Barrier
Posted by Brad Barrier
May 19, 2009 2:58 PM

This company out of Dallas, Syndicate Sanitation, specializes in gym disinfecting and killing staph and MRSA - I would suggest calling them. Highly recommended company!

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