MRSA infections rise outside hospitals in the UK

UK health authorities warn of rising MRSA infections contracted outside hospitals and urge basic hygiene.

MRSA infections rise in the community UK health officials warn

Britons have been urged not to share towels or razors as the UK Health Security Agency reports more MRSA infections contracted outside hospital settings. Between January and March this year, 175 people were infected in the community, up 47% from 119 in the same period in 2019. The trend shows younger patients, with almost a quarter of cases under 45 in 2023-24, compared with about one in ten in 2007-08.

Hospital MRSA rates remain low, but officials say there are early signs of more community-associated infections. First-quarter 2025 data show a 4.1% rise from the year before and a 39.4% rise from 2019. The data do not specify where in the community infections were caught. Health experts caution that it is too early to confirm a sustained shift and call for ongoing surveillance. Guidance from UKHSA and the US CDC emphasizes hygiene, including not sharing towels and razors and regular handwashing.

The rise in community MRSA could reflect more people taking part in team sports and gym routines, where skin-to-skin contact or shared equipment can spread bacteria. It also highlights gaps in data, since the surveillance reports do not specify the exact locations where infections were caught. The UK and US authorities are relying on routine monitoring to decide if this is a blip or the start of a trend.

Policy wise, the message is simple but the stakes are high. Hygiene guidelines work only if people follow them, and gyms must invest in cleaning and equipment protocols. The trend also tests how health systems communicate risk without fueling stigma around gyms or exercise. The conversation should focus on practical steps and ongoing scrutiny.

Highlights

Public health relies on everyday choices.