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Staph Infection Outbreak Hits Manchester Middle School
By Keith Hagarty
OCEAN COUNTY - A student from Manchester Middle School is one of the latest area kids to be diagnosed with a drug-resistant bacterial infection that has swept across schools throughout the country.
The infection, known as MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus), claimed the life of a high school student in Virginia last week. Cases were also reported here in New Jersey at Ocean Township High School and Manasquan High School, Point Pleasant Boro High School, Forked River Elementary School, New Egypt High School in Plumsted and Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River.
This week, Jackson and Howell's school districts reported two more cases, one student diagnosed at Jackson Memorial High School, another at Howell Middle School South.
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.
But school officials are cautioning parents not to panic.
Both Jackson and Howell school districts immediately sent letters to students, parents and teachers, alerting them of the situation and precautions being taken.
Jackson Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella issued a statement on the school district's Web site, 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.
"We are confident that these measures will help to protect students," Feaster said in a publicly released statement, "but we want parents to be aware of its symptoms and of the good hygiene practices that families can take to avoid MRSA infections."
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. "Athletic areas and bathrooms are targeted as 'high risk areas' and appropriate cleaning techniques are in place. Coaches have been instructed in both recognition and referral of students with any skin infection."
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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