Outbreaks of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections--Los Angeles County, California, 2002-2003.

During 2002, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LACDHS) investigated three community outbreaks of skin infections associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA commonly has occurred in health-care settings; however, recent investigations of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) have identified infection in various settings, including correctional facilities, athletic teams, and others (CDC, unpublished data, 2002). This report describes investigations of CA-MRSA in Los Angeles County.