Department of Health Home A to Z Topics About the Department of Health Site Map Contact Us - Opens in a new window

Microscopic image Picture of a mosquito Picture of lab worker Young child holding turtle Woman holding phone Picture of syringe & vaccine
Healthier people through excellence in epidemiology
AG Holley State Hospital Epidemiology HIV/AIDS Immunization Refugee Health STD Tuberculosis
spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer

Staphylococcus aureus

S. aureus are bacteria that are fairly common - about one-third of people in the world have S. aureus bacteria on their bodies at any given time, primarily in their nose and on their skin.  The bacteria can be present without causing an active infection - this is called colonization.  According to the CDC, about 1% of people who are colonized with S. aureus are colonized with Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA).

More information on: