The prognosis for MRSA infection varies depending on the extent of the infection, the health status of the individual, and whether an appropriate antibiotic treatment is found before the infection overwhelms the immune system. Individuals in relatively good health before MRSA infection usually recover. In other individuals, the earlier treatment is begun, the better the prognosis. The mortality for MRSA is greater than that for HIV infection, accounting for 19,000 deaths a year in the US; about 86% of deaths are due to H-MRSA, and 14% are due to CA-MRSA (Davis). Pneumonia and septicemia are the most frequent causes of death from MRSA infection and carry a mortality rate of about 20% (Davis). More than 80% of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia that goes untreated results in death, and the mortality rate for staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome is 3% to 5% in those who develop this complication (Herchline).
http://www.mdguidelines.com/methicil...mrsa/prognosis
I think this is another case where a totally casual, even ostrichlike, attitude has exacerbated a situation. You can see some of the shades right here. Fact is that all sorts of things are being spread by travel and commerce because so many parties are utterly resistant to any form of warning. The whole point of information is to allow for an adaptive response. But in some parts of the world, adapatation has come to be viewed as oppression, leading to protest, rather than any effective action. This is why there are so many '... situations" where you wonder how any intelligent person could end up in some sort of trouble. Followed, naturally, by the search for someone else to blame. Here, the response is to ridicule a nurse. I suppose those who reach first for ridicule will also be those who ridicule the State Department for its warnings.
Here's an analogy. Not everyone who texts while driving kills someone. But some do. To look at the nonlethal cases as proof that warnings against texting are ridiculous is ridiculous itself. Some people who smoke live past the average lifespan, too, but a lot end up unable to breathe on their own. A word to the wise is sufficient. But to the unwise it is hysteria.