Newark student has MRSA infection

Newark School Superintendent Henry Hann sent letters home this afternoon, to all parents of Newark students. He told them that a Newark student has a confirmed case of a highly contagious staph infection known as MRSA.

Recently, Fairport, Seneca Falls and Spencerport school districts have also had confirmed cases of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) within their school populations.

MRSA is a bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Infection occurs when staph enters through a break in the skin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospital and healthcare facilities, such as nursing home residents and dialysis patients. It is spread by person to person contact and is not airborne.

MRSA can cause skin infections that resemble a pimple, boil or ingrown hair and can be red, swollen or have pus or other drainage. Anyone who has these symptoms should see their school nurse or physician immediately. The illness is not specific to any age or economic group. Persons who are diagnosed may attend school, as long as their infection is being treated appropriately, including being covered to the satisfaction of our school nurses and/or their physician.

Health officials offer these preventative measures are:

• Keep your hands clean
• Keeps cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
• Shower after physical activity
• Properly clean gear and equipment
• Consult your trainer/physician for all active wounds
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors

Newark custodial staff is making sure all common surface areas in our schools are washed with cleaning products certified to protect against this type of bacteria. The District is following all directions from the school physician and Public Health Department officials.

If you have medical questions, please contact your family physician or Wayne County Public Health at 946.5749. As always, you may contact Superintendent Hann at 332.3217.

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