What is MRSA?

While originally found primarily in hospitals, a drug-resistant bacteria known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasingly occurring in schools. In fact, according to the August edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, MRSA is among the most common causes of skin and soft-tissue infections treated in emergency rooms at eleven hospitals across the United States.

Hospital-associated MRSA has been known since the 1960s, but community-associated strains have emerged only in recent years. Children are especially susceptible to MRSA. It is estimated that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are carried by 30% of the population, and is easily passed from one person to another. This doesn’t necessarily cause an infection unless there is a break in the skin, like from an insect bite or scratch.

How Can We Prevent MRSA Infections?

As with most things, prevention is important to avoid these infections. Understanding that “staph” and MRSA are usually spread from having close contact with infected people, there are precautions that can help you avoid these infections. In addition to direct physical contact, MRSA may also be spread by indirect contact by touching objects (towels, sheets, wound dressings, clothes, workout areas, and sports equipment) contaminated by the infected skin of a person with MRSA or staph bacteria.

To avoid staph and MRSA, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone practice good hygiene, as follows:

·         Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water.

·         Clean thoroughly after athletic workouts and contact with other players.

·         Utilize alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are unavailable.

·         Launder athletic uniforms and other athletic clothing in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer.

·         Sanitize 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.

·         Never share or borrow towels, razors, soap, or any other personal items.

Cherry Hill’s Proactive Approach 

·         All school nurses have been apprised of the signs and symptoms of the infection. They are communicating with the custodians assigned to each building to ensure that “high-risk” areas are targeted and that the overall cleanliness of the buildings is maintained.

·         Gym areas, locker rooms, weight rooms, wrestling rooms, aerobic rooms, athletic areas, all-purpose rooms, and bathrooms are targeted as “high risk areas.” Appropriate cleaning techniques are in place using hospital-grade disinfectant, which kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses – including MRSA.

·         Athletic trainers are knowledgeable in both recognition and referral of students with any skin infection, and coaches have been instructed by the trainers in such areas.

·         Education is the key, as well as hand washing and good hygiene. Basic principles of “No Sharing” of personal objects will greatly reduce the spread of this and any infection.

·         Nurses and trainers are the key people in each building and all questions and concerns should be directed to them.

We must all work together to promote health and wellness in our schools.

See a physician immediately upon observing any new skin lesion; if your physician suspects MRSA, please notify the school nurse as soon as possible so that we can continue to be proactive in preventing the spread of the infection. If your student has a confirmed MRSA diagnosis, we will take the steps necessary to notify appropriate county health officials.

Please call your family physician if you have any additional questions about MRSA. You can also visit the district website (www.chclc.org) or following websites for updates and more information:

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/

http://nj.gov/health/cd/mrsa/index.shtml