Warning after rare MRSA outbreak hit nearly 50 Irish children following bouncy castle play
Four children were hospitalised following the outbreak of a rare strain of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria
An outbreak of MRSA which affected almost 50 children in Ireland has been linked to bouncy castle play at a community gathering.
New research has detailed an outbreak of a rare strain of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among children in the east of the country following an outdoor social event in August 2025.
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A total of 48 children were identified as cases during the outbreak, with 47 of those affected having attended the same gathering, where children had played on bouncy castles. No adults were identified as cases.
Most of the children began developing skin symptoms within two to three days of the event, with the legs, and particularly the thighs, among the most commonly affected areas.
Of the 48 children affected, 33 were treated by their GP, while 15 attended a hospital emergency department or day ward.
Four children required admission to hospital. There were no deaths associated with the outbreak.
The incident was investigated after a regional public health department was notified that several children had presented to hospital with skin and soft-tissue infections following the gathering.
Testing of confirmed cases identified the same strain of MRSA, known as t016-ST22-MRSA-IV, which was also found to produce Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL).
Researchers said the particular strain has previously been described as "hypervirulent" but is rare in Ireland.
An investigation was subsequently launched, which included telephone interviews with parents and guardians to establish the children's symptoms and potential exposures.
The pattern of infections was considered suggestive of a point-source outbreak.
A number of infection-control measures were introduced in response, including treatment and decolonisation of affected children and decolonisation of household contacts who were not displaying symptoms.
Information was also provided to affected families and other relevant parties, including the bouncy castle providers.
Writing in the Journal of Public Health, researchers said the incident highlighted the potential for community-acquired MRSA outbreaks in settings involving prolonged and close physical contact, including children's play on bouncy castles.
The findings also highlighted the importance of infection-control measures in limiting the spread of MRSA within the community.
MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria which is resistant to several widely used antibiotics. It can live harmlessly on the skin but can cause infections if it enters the body, particularly through broken or damaged skin.