Study: MRSA infection can survive for a week on airplanes

The deadly virus known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) can survive on an airplane for longer than a week, according to a study that was reported on by Time Magazine. 

Researches plans bacteria containing MRSA on airplane seat pockets, arm rests, seats, window shades, tray tables and toilet handles. 

The virus was able to survive for two to eight days, according to the report. 

{mosads}Medical University of South Carolina Microbiology and Immunology Professor Michael Schmidt told the magazine that the results of the study should deeply trouble the U.S. airline industry. 

“The findings are potentially a call to arms for the airline industry who may wish to take a page from the healthcare industry and apply cleaning products or use antimicrobial fabrics in the cabin,” Schmidt said. 

The website WebMD says MRSA is a “type of staphylococcus or ‘staph’ bacterium that is resistant to many antibiotics.” 

“MRSA infections are more difficult to treat than ordinary staph infections,” the website says. “This is because the strains of staph known as MRSA do not respond well to many common antibiotics used to kill bacteria. When methicillin and other antibiotics do not kill the bacteria causing an infection, it becomes harder to get rid of the infection.”