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MRSA Information
Letter to Parents, Students, and Athletes
October 18, 2007
To Parents, Students and Athletes:
You may be aware that some school districts in our area have experienced cases
of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), particularly among
athletes. MRSA is a drug-resistant form of the staphylococcus bacterium that,
when contracted, usually causes mild, superficial skin infections that produce
boils or lesions. Bacteria are transmitted by direct physical contact with
contaminated materials such as towels, sheets, clothes and sports equipment, in
addition to direct contact with infected persons. On rare occasions, the
bacteria get into the bloodstream and deep wounds, causing more severe illness.
As of this date, there have been NO reported cases of MRSA among Redbank Valley
athletes or students. The district has established cleaning procedures for
athletic locker rooms and guidelines for parents, athletes, coaches and trainers
to follow to reduce the risk of infection among our students and athletes.
We are aware of some rumored cases of MRSA among teams that compete against
Redbank Valley. These schools are following procedures to minimize transmission
of MRSA from one athlete to another or from the environment to an athlete during
and immediately after competition. Other teams follow the same guidelines and
procedures that we do.
Attached you will find guidelines and procedures that will help to reduce the
risk of infection among our athletes. Please assist us in enforcing these
guidelines and procedures with your student or athlete.
Please contact the Athletic Office at 814-275-2424 if you have any questions.
Redbank Valley
School District Notifies Students and Athletes of MRSA Cause/Prevention
Recently, local and national news reports have highlighted reported cases of
staph infections (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus or MRSA). Redbank
Valley School District would like to caution parents, students and athletes on
the cause and treatment.
Please note: no Redbank Valley School District athlete or student has been
diagnosed with an infection this information is strictly to inform parents of
Redbank Valley School Districts efforts to educate our students and families.
In an effort to assist in the prevention of such an infection, Redbank Valley
School District will stock anti-bacterial soap (hand dispensers) in the locker
rooms and restrooms and routinely disinfect with anti-bacterial cleaners. Please
read the following public health bulletin for more information on MRSA:
METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
(The NSW Public Health Bulletin: Citation: NSW Public Health Bulletin 2003;
14(6): 123)
WHAT IS METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA)?
Staphylococcus aureus (or staph) are bacteria that are found on the skin and in
the nose of people. Staph are usually harmless, but they can sometimes cause
infection and serious illness.
Some strains of staph have become resistant to the antibiotic methicillin and to
other antibiotics that were used in the past to treat infections. Infections
caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) are hard to treat,
as most antibiotics will not kill the bacteria.
HOW DO YOU GET MRSA INFECTIONS?
You can get infected with MRSA in the community as well as in a hospital or
other health care setting.
MRSA and other staph can cause infection by getting into the body through broken
skin or into the blood stream. People who have health problems such as diabetes
or a poor immune system (or who have broken skin due to wounds, recent surgery
or dermatitis) are more likely than others to get a staph infection.
MRSA can cause:
skin infections such as boils and impetigo (school sores);
infection under the skin (cellulitis);
more serious infections of the bone, blood, lungs and other parts of the body.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE AN MRSA INFECTION?
A doctor will take swabs or samples from boils, wounds or other sites of
infection. These samples will then be sent to a laboratory for testing.
HOW ARE MRSA INFECTIONS TREATED?
MRSA may be treated with special antibiotics. Other treatments include dressings
and surgery, depending on the type of infection. Your doctor will advise on the
best treatment for your infection.
HOW ARE MRSA SPREAD?
MRSA can be spread by:
touching or squeezing the infected body area, such as a boil or wound;
using soiled towels, clothes or bed sheets that have been used by a person
with an
MRSA infection;
using grooming items that have been used by a person with an MRSA infection;
not washing hands carefully.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MRSA?
Wash your hands hand washing is the most important thing to do to prevent
the spread of MRSA. Wash your hands:
before and after touching or dressing an infected area;
after going to the toilet;
after blowing your nose;
before handling or eating food;
before handling newborn babies;
after touching or handling unwashed clothing or linen.
How should I wash my hands?
Wash all parts of your hands well using soap and running water.
Rinse well and dry your hands after washing.
Cover boils or other skin infections Cover boils or other skin infections with
a watertight dressing during the daytime. A child with impetigo (small blisters
or flat, honey-colored, crusty sores on the skin, caused by either
Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria) should not go to school or childcare
until after one full day of treatment.
Dont share:
soiled towels, clothes or bed sheets if you share a bed with someone, keep
sores or
wounds dressed overnight;
grooming items such as nail scissors, tweezers, razors and toothbrushes.
Wash towels, clothes, bed sheets and other items that might have pus or MRSA on
them in a washing machine. No special washing temperature is recommended. Dry
clothing and linen in direct sunlight, if possible, as sunlight kills bacteria.
All eating utensils and dishes can be washed as normal.
For further information please contact your local
public health unit, community health centre or doctor, or call 1-877-PAHEALTH.
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