Three students at Kingman High School are taking antibiotics for MRSA staph infections as they attend classes this week.
Students took home a letter Wednesday advising parents and guardians of the three cases. Principal Pat Mickelson signed the letter, a portion of which reads as follows:
"We are taking extra care with cleaning and sanitizing throughout the school. We are using specialized products formulated to sanitize surface areas. The staph infection is primarily transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Practicing good hygiene is key to prevention of the infection and includes: keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or frequently using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed; avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages; and avoid sharing personal items such as towels and washcloths."
The letter refers readers wanting more information about MRSA to the Centers for Disease Control Web site at www.cdc.gov or by calling the Mohave County Department of Public Health at 753-0714.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is a type of bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics, according to the CDC Web site.
Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among people in hospitals and healthcare facilities (e.g. nursing homes) with weakened immune systems. MRSA infections are acquired by people who have not had hospitalization or medical procedures within the past year and are known as CA-MRSA infections. They usually manifest themselves on the skin as pimples or boils.
KHS is following recommended precautions from the county Health Department to prevent spread of the infection.
"Our custodial staff has necessary germicide formulas on hand," Mickelson said. "Our athletic and physical education areas, starting Tuesday and through the end of this week, are wiping down every surface.
"We're going to remove all equipment from the weight room and clean it, as that is a possible primary area for spread of the infection. However, it also could result from our athletes contacting athletes from other schools."
In addition, the school's athletic trainer is meeting with teams and advising players of good practices to keep them free of the infection.
MRSA is being seen more and more across the country, Mickelson said. It is most commonly found in gymnasiums, athletic clubs and military boot camps.
Mickelson said she has been criticized in the past for not giving parents enough information about situations arising at KHS. She wants everyone to be informed, but at the same time does not want to cause panic.
Christy Bronston, director of nursing with the county Health Department, said her office is providing support including education on sanitization procedures to KHS.
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, September 27, 2007
Article comment by:
Tracie
CA-MRSA is not only spread by skin to skin contact. The staph can stay alive for months on keyboards, door knobs, toilet seats, and so on. I hope that the staff and students know this so that they will have a choice on how and when to touch anything and everything - in school and out of school. Pets can also become victims and carriers. I learned all of this the hard way. It needs to be taken very seriously.
