News

October 19, 2007

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I am sharing the following information provided by our School District’s safety consultant, Needham Risk Management Resource Group, LLC. Please be assured that our staff is alert to this situation and that we are taking proactive steps to minimize the potential for transmission in our school facilities.

“There has been some widespread media attention over Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a type of infection caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus which is also referred to as “staph”. “Staph” are bacteria commonly carried on the skin and in the nose, and some strains are resistant to a class of antibiotics which are frequently used to treat it such as methicillin, hence the name Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. “Staph” has been blamed for the recent death of a high school student in Virginia and the closing of some schools.

Cases of skin infections caused by MRSA have been identified in some communities, most involving athletes (although some non-athletes have been affected as well). Skin infections such as abscesses and boils are the most common form of this infection. Staph, including MRSA, can be spread among people having close contact with an infected person, although MRSA is almost always spread by direct physical contact and not through the air. Spread may also occur though indirect contact by touching objects contaminated with Staph bacteria or MRSA (such as towels, clothes, workout areas or sports equipment).

Athletes, athletic personnel and parents can help prevent and control MRSA infections within the athletic setting by:

  1.  Washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using any sports facilities.
  2.  Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, clothing or uniforms.
  3.  Report any suspicious skin sore or boil to the school nurse immediately.
  4.  If a person participates in close contact sports (e.g. wrestling and football) shower with soap immediately after each practice, game or match.
  5.  Non-washable gear should be wiped down with alcohol wipes after each use.
  6.  Infected sites should be covered with a bandage, and individuals with an infection that involves pus, who are involved in close contact sports, should be excluded until there is no pus drainage.
  7.  Any cut or break in the skin should be washed with soap and water, and a clean, dry dressing applied.

In addition, everyone can take steps to protect themselves by using universal precautions such as proper handwashing procedures and not sharing personal items.

As a District, we are taking precautions such as using recommended enhanced surface disinfection to clean our buildings, concentrating first on the most sensitive areas such as locker rooms, cafeteria spaces, door handles, and bathrooms. We are also asking all coaches to have student athletes take their uniforms and equipment such as shoulder pads and shin guards home and launder them or wipe them down with a bleach and water solution (1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 quart of water).

We have not seen any communication from New York State Education Department or the Department of Health on this issue at the current time, but there may be additional precautions forthcoming and we will obviously communicate them. Additional information about MRSA can be found at the New York State Department of Health’s website at http://health.state.ny.us

Sincerely,

Leslie Copleston
Leslie Copleston, District Health and Safety Designee