Information on staph
infections
Recent media attention over MSRA,
a type of staph infection caused by the bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus, is prompting the district to
provide information to parents and community members.
One case has been confirmed in the district and numerous
cases have been reported in the Capital Region. District officials
continue to take a proactive approach to ensure the health of
students and staff.
Most importantly, students and staff at each school are
being encouraged to wash their hands with soap and
water, especially before eating and after using sports
facilities or restrooms. In addition, school
officials are making sure administrators, teachers,
school nurses, coaches and members of the custodial
staff have information available to protect themselves
and to share with the school community. The importance
of sanitation is being reinforced with the custodial
staff and special emphasis is being placed on physical
education and sports equipment, locker rooms and common
surfaces and areas.
To prevent the spread of infection, the district's
health officials would like to share the following tips:
-
Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, razors,
clothing, uniforms, athletic equipment, etc.
Report any suspicious skin sore or boil to the school
nurse immediately.
-
If a
person participates in close contact sports (i.e.,
wrestling and football), shower with soap immediately
after each practice, game or match.
-
Non-washable gear should be wiped down with disinfectant
wipes after each use.
-
Open
wounds should be covered with a bandage. Individuals
with an infection that involves pus should be excluded
from close contact sports until there
is no pus drainage.
-
Any cut or
break in the skin should be washed with soap and water,
and a clean, dry dressing applied.
Staph bacteria are
commonly carried on the skin and in the nose by
everyone. Some strains are resistant to a class of
antibiotics that are frequently used to treat it. Staph,
including MRSA, can be spread among people having close
contact with an infected person. However, MSRA is almost
always spread by direct physical contact and not through
the air. It can also be spread through indirect contact
by touching objects contaminated with staph bacteria or
MRSA (such as towels, clothes, workout areas or sports
equipment)but this is not likely.
If you have any questions
or concerns, please contact the Health Office in either
building.
Further information on
community-acquired MRSA is also available on these Web
sites:
Department of Health/State
Education Department Recommendations
(released 10/25/07)
Southern Tier Pediatrics Letter on
MRSA (10/25/07)
NYS Department of Health Press
Release 10/18/2007
NYS Department of Health CA-MRSA Advisory
Notice 10/18/2007
Communicable Disease Fact Sheet
Guide for Coaches
Guide for Athletes
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
and Prevention CA-MRSA
New York State Education
Department Web site
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