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Staph Infections Sweep Through Area Schools
By Keith Hagarty and Bill McLaughlin
OCEAN COUNTY - Staph infections have hit a number of area schools, leaving some parents concerns and school officials urging caution, but not panic.
The latest reports spring out of Central Regional High School in Berkeley, a second reported infection at Howell Middle School, and an unconfirmed report of an infected Lakewood High School wrestler.
These come on the heels of reports from Manchester Middle School, Ocean Township High School and Manasquan High School, Point Pleasant Boro High School, Forked River Elementary School, New Egypt High School in Plumsted, Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River, and Jackson Memorial High School.
The infection, known as MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus), claimed the life of a high school student in Virginia last month, as well as a student in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn. That Brooklyn intermediate high school was closed until it could be scrubbed top to bottom with disinfectants.
But school and health officials are urging caution. The infections, they say, are detectable and treatable, serious only when it enters the blood stream.
Regarding Howell Middle School's second infection, school officials released a statement saying: "The student has undergone appropriate medical treatment and has been cleared by his pediatrician to be in school today."
For most, there is a skin infection, an abscess or pus-filled blister, that ironically is most prevalent in hospital settings. Another 10-15 percent of the population, active people who are prone to cuts and scrapes such as children and athletes, are also vulnerable.
According to health officials, staph bacteria, such as MRSA, can cause skin infections that may appear as a pimple or boil, and is often red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections can lead to pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections, or severely damage someone whose immune system is compromised.
The National Institute for Health recommends that children not share personal items like towels, toothbrushes, razors and combs. Frequently washing hands with hot water is another key to prevention of staphylococcus aureus.
School officials are cautioning parents not to panic.
Central Regional school district officials said last week that they one pupil had been treated for the MRSA skin infection.
The pupil, who was not identified, was treated at Community Medical Center and released. When word spread that someone had been infected, some parents wanted to pull their children out of school.
Superintendent of School David Trethaway said Friday afternoon that the incident had been handed by school professionals who ascertained there was no risk to other students.
"We had dismissal at the normal time today," Trethaway said. "The student was treated and given a clean bill of health. Rumors tend to spread when only part of the story gets out. There was no risk to students."
Jackson Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella issued a statement on the school district's website, notifying parents of the student's diagnosis and the questions surrounding the common skin infection.
"It is important to note that while MRSA are staph' bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics, and that it has been referred to as a 'superbug,' the bacteria are still treatable," said Gialanella.
Jackson school officials had begun disinfecting its schools when they first learned to of the reported incidents in neighboring communities, prior to the announced diagnosis of one of their own students. The schools were not closed, and will remain open, said Gialanella.
"We realize that the media reports of MRSA
may cause you to be alarmed," he said. "Guidance from health officials is that it is not
necessary to close schools because of a MRSA infection of a student, nor is it necessary to close school while areas are disinfected."
With health officials cautioning that athletes are among the groups of people who have the highest risk of getting MRSA skin infections, school officials said they paid special attention to the areas in which athletes train, dress and store gear.
The student diagnosed at Howell Middle School South underwent the appropriate treatment and has since returned to school. School custodians have disinfected the building, according to Principal Thomas Feaster.
Education is key in preventing MRSA, said Feaster.
"Our school nurses have been apprised of the signs and symptoms of the infection and are communicating with the custodians to ensure that 'high-risk' areas are targeted and that the overall cleanliness of the buildings is maintained," he said.
Some of the hygiene tips both Feaster and Gialanella referenced from The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help reduce your risk of infection, include: keeping your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water; cleaning thoroughly after athletic workouts and contact with other players; utilizing alcohol based hand sanitizers when soap and water are unavailable; laundering athletic uniforms and other athletic clothing in hot water, and drying them in a hot dryer; sanitizing athletic equipment after use to avoid transmission of bacteria; if you have an open wound, be sure to clean it well, and keep it covered with a bandage that attaches to the skin on all sides; and never sharing or borrowing towels, razors, soap, or any other personal items.
"Our nurses are on the lookout for any symptoms," said Gialanella, "and are serving to help us inform our staff about symptoms and preventative measures."
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