When it comes to MRSA and potential transmission, different species have different issues, Dr. Weese said. With horses, there is concern about nasal/facial contamination, fecal contamination, and the greater potential for international movement.
With household pets—dogs, cats, and hamsters, among others—the degree, duration, and intensity of contact is the primary concern. “There's a lot of high-level contact within the household, creating the chance for transmission,” he said.
As a general rule, physicians “need to know what's going on in the household with pets,” he said. Find out if there are pets and how many, and if the pets are healthy. It's important to reinforce the importance of hand hygiene for people with pets, especially if the pet is sick.