Bouncy castle linked to MRSA outbreak affecting 48 children in Ireland
An outbreak of MRSA in Ireland in Fall 2025 affected 48 children following use of a bouncy castle. The investigation results were published in Eurosurveillance.
An outbreak of the multidrug-resistant bacteria MRSA (meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) affected 48 children in Ireland in Fall 2025, linked to the use of a bouncy castle. The infections manifested as aggressive skin and soft-tissue issues.
The incident occurred during a community gathering with an estimated 120 attendees, approximately half of whom were children and teenagers. Symptoms began appearing within a day of the bouncy castle use. Of the 48 affected children, 15 required emergency care, and four were hospitalized.
All affected children reportedly recovered fully. An investigation into the outbreak identified the bouncy castle as the source of transmission. The findings were published this week in the journal Eurosurveillance.
The case highlights concerns regarding hygiene in shared recreational spaces and the potential for rapid spread of resistant pathogens among children.