Oct 25, 2007
Against the spread of MRSA:
Students learn how to take precautions
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by KENNETH HOFFMAN and MAGGIE CALDWELL
With a number of young people testing positive for the MRSA-strain staph infection in towns bordering Redding, school officials here are stepping up preventative measures at Joel Barlow High School.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria resistant to some forms of antibiotics.
Students in Weston and Newtown high schools are among a growing list of high school and college students recently diagnosed with infection by the MRSA strain.
Dr. Allen Fossbender, superintendent of Redding, Easton and Region 9 schools, in collaboration with Dr. Larry Leibowitz and Dr. Christopher Michos, the directors of public health for the towns of Redding and Easton, respectively, sent out a ListServe advisory to parents about the infection. The advisory relayed information about the bacteria and how infection can be identified, as well as tips for proper hygiene practices to avoid contracting it (see sidebars).
“Staph infection is not uncommon, although MRSA is an uncommon strain among Staph infections,” said Dr. Fossbender last week. “Usually the spectrum of staph infections, as I understand it, occur in hospitals and extended rehabilitation centers. It is more prevalent in those environments than, generally speaking, in the school environment. Nevertheless, it’s important — even though cases are rare — for our students and staff members to be vigilant in washing their hands frequently during the day, and for our custodial staff to disinfect student desks and the high school locker rooms, showers and other training rooms in our other athletic facilities.”
When asked what would be the course of action should someone at Joel Barlow be infected with the MRSA strain, Dr. Fossbender said the immediate response would be to contact the two directors of public health and seek their assistance and recommendations.
“I believe if cases were reported here, that we would intensify the disinfectants of our facilities, but at that point, I would really be following specific recommendations of public officials and experts,” he said.
The state’s response
Gov. M. Jodi Rell issued a statement to the state’s school superintendents last week.
“Recent cases of infection of public school students are being monitored closely by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH),” she wrote. “My office is working with both the Department of Education and DPH to track cases of infection and to provide information about MRSA to school districts and the public.”
Ms. Rell stressed that MRSA is preventable and treatable.
Pat Mshar, an epidemiologist with the state Department of Public Health, said most of the infected people are otherwise healthy, so they likely will not get seriously sick from the MRSA.
Ms. Mshar said it can be treated with common antibiotics; it is resistant only to penicillin and methicillin.
MRSA is not unusual, she said. Until recently, it was found mostly in hospitals among immuno-compromised people, and in that situation, it can be serious.
Recently, it has moved into the general community, among mostly healthy people, so there is no need for worry, she said.
According to Ms. Mshar, 25% to 30% of people carry staphylococcus bacteria, and a lower percentage carry MRSA.
“Don’t panic,” she said. “It is pretty unlikely that you will get MRSA, and if it does happen, it probably won’t be serious if you are healthy.”
Call the state Department of Public Health at 860-509-7994 for more information.
About the infection
Ms. Mshar said that MRSA is a variation of Staphylococcus aureus, common bacteria that have evolved the ability to survive treatment with certain antibiotics, including penicillin and methicillin. The organism is most dangerous in hospital-acquired infections.
In hospitals, patients might have open wounds and weakened immune systems and are therefore at increased risk for infection. MRSA was discovered in 1961 in the United Kingdom.
It is spread only through direct physical contact. Frequent hand-washing is the most effective way to prevent infection; wash hands frequently throughout the day, said health officials. They offered the following advice.
Use hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day, don’t share towels, don’t share razor blades or disposable razors, use disinfectant spray on all surfaces, and launder towels, bedding and clothing regularly.
Mild infections may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections or surgical wound infections.
The bacteria may live in people’s noses and on their skin, and most of the time they do not cause any problem.
Observe children for open wounds. If any are draining or contain pus, seek prompt medical attention.
Coaches should ensure that athletes wash their hands, cover wounds, and don’t share personal items and towels.
The only way to determine if an infection is caused by MRSA is through laboratory testing ordered by a physician or other health care provider.
Students or staff members who are found to be infected with MRSA do not need to be routinely excluded from the classroom. Exclusion from school should be reserved for those with wound drainage that cannot be covered and contained with a clean, dry dressing taped on all four sides.
Potentially contaminated surfaces should be cleaned with an EPA-registered disinfectant labeled effective against MRSA, and manufacturers’ directions should be followed.
Household bleach diluted 1:100, with a new solution every day, may be used.
Additional information about MRSA may be found at www.cdc.gov/MRSA.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a list of EPA-registered products effective against MRSA at epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm.
Kenneth Hoffman is a freelance reporter for Hersam Acorn Newspapers.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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