Schools take precautions to stop spread of MRSA
BY DAVE BENJAMIN & TOYNETT HALL Staff Writers

Administrators at area schools last week reported that several students had been diagnosed with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria.

According to published reports, the MRSA have gained attention since a recent government report found that almost 100,000 Americans contract potentially deadly staph infections every year.

One case of MRSA was reported at Jackson Memorial High School.

"An advisory has been put out on the Jackson School District Web site, www.jacksonsd.org," Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella said. "There has been one case of MSRA at Jackson Memorial and the district is taking a proactive approach to limit the risks to students and staff."

Gialanella said 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.

"We realize that media reports of MRSA may cause people to be alarmed," he said. "Guidance from health officials is that it is not necessary to close schools while areas are being disinfected."

Tom Slater, a spokesman with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, said, "MRSA has been around for years. It's basically a serious skin infection, if not treated."

Slater said MRSA has garnered media attention recently because the Centers for Disease Control issued a report concerning the infection and because a child in Virginia who had it died.

"That began a media cycle and more people started coming forward saying they were aware that someone had it in this school and someone had it here," Slater said. "I don't think there are any more cases. I think people are becoming more cognizant of it.

"While (MRSA) may not be treatable with some antibiotics, there are antibiotics out there that do work in treating it," said Slater. "Our advice to the general public has been that individual cases are not a cause for panic in schools or anywhere else; if you have a skin infection that is not going away see a doctor immediately and follow their directions; have the infection or wound cleaned and keep it bandaged; and take the entire course of medicine that is given to you."

Slater said the Department of Health has given the advice to school districts, long-term care facilities, prisons and other places where there seem to be cases annually.

A lot of that has to do with proper hygiene and close contact, he said.

Regarding school teams, "our direction is to wash the uniforms, wash the equipment and encourage hand washing by athletes," Slater said.

When asked how many cases there are in New Jersey, Slater said they are not reportable.

"Only outbreaks are reportable to local health departments," he said. "An outbreak is considered to be two or more cases in the same time period. You can't have a case now and then one in January and call it an outbreak."

Additional information is available at http://nj.gov/health/ed/mrsa/index.shtml, http://www.ochd.org/MRSAIndex.htm or http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAin Schools.

Cases of MRSA were also reported in Howell and Plumsted.

After learning that a Howell Middle School South student had contracted MRSA, school administrators sprang into action.

In addition to posting information about MRSA on the district's Internet Web site, administrators had school custodians disinfect the building.

Howell Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden said there was no need for alarm. She said one case was reported. According to information provided by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, "Schools should not be closed and classes should not be canceled. People who are infected are permitted to attend school/work as long as they are compliant with infection control measures."

Golden said school nurses have helped to target "high-risk" areas (athletic areas and rest rooms) in the schools and worked with the custodians to make certain those areas receive extra attention.

People are being encouraged to clean thoroughly after athletic workouts and contact with other players; to use alcoholbased hand sanitizes when soap and water are unavailable; to launder athletic uniforms and other athletic clothing in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer; to sanitize athletic equipment after use to avoid transmission of bacteria; to never share or borrow towels razors, soap, or any other personal items; and to be vigilant if you have an open would to be sure to clean it well and keep it covered with a bandage that attaches to the skin on all sides.

"As long as everyone follows these guidelines and practices good hygiene," the spread of infection will be reduced," Golden said.

Two students at New Egypt High School in Plumsted were diagnosed with the staph infection MRSA.

According to Interim Principal Elizabeth Panella, the first case was discovered when it was reported by a local doctor. The student who is actively being treated was cleared and returned to school. The second student is pending release to return to school.

As a result, Panella said, "all rooms were sanitized by custodians with EPA approved cleaning products. Also, the school started education programs for students on personal cleanliness. In addition, our Web site has been maintained to provide information about the 'superbug.' "

Panella said, "All teachers have been issued hand sanitizers. All bathrooms have been sanitized and soap and towel dispensers have been filled. Also, the Ocean County Board of Health gave us additional tips and requirements to follow to help reduce the spread of this infection."