School districts take great care to provide MRSA information

The media hoopla regarding the MRSA virus - which experts say can be contracted in school and health care settings - seems to be stabilizing since it came to the forefront of news reports about three weeks ago, with area school districts taking great steps to ensure accurate information has been made available to faculty, parents and students. “It’s just a matter of good hand washing and good personal hygiene,” said Helen Anne Livingston, Chester School District superintendent. “It’s a wake-up call we need every once in awhile, especially with the flu season coming.” MRSA — methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus - does not respond to common antibiotics, with the powerful vancomycin being the drug of choice. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, most community MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils that often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair. But it’s not a new virus. It came to into the intense media spotlight a month ago when the Journal of the American Medical Association reported a study which found there were 19,000 fatal MRSA infections in 2005, higher than researchers expected, and surpassing AIDS deaths. Even so, researchers noted the methodology used was significantly different than previous studies, so comparisons with past data were questionable. The CDC has also noted that MRSA is not any deadlier than it was prior to the JAMA article’s publication. While there are deaths associated with this virus, some people develop only very mild cases, and others can become seriously to critically sick. “Staph is not new,” said Nicole Coffin, a CDC spokesperson. “Even MRSA is not new. In hospitals, it’s been around for 30 years. In the general population, it’s been around for at least 10 years.” The Goshen School District has posted information on its Web site, along with a link to the New York State Department of Health. The district quickly responded last week when a local student who attends the Jessie J. Kaplan School - a school for youngsters with severe physical and emotional disabilities - in West Nyack in Rockland County, was diagnosed with MRSA, said Superintendent Roy Reese. “We contacted all the parents of students who rode on the bus with this child,” said Reese. Separately and independent of that situation, the district sent letters home to certain schools. “Custodial staff went to lockers and labs to do additional cleaning,” added Reese. “We’ve targeted areas we think are most vulnerable to this bacteria. All the coaches have received additional, appropriate information from the athletic director. All principals have received information from the county health commissioner, the state and me. I think we’re in decent shape at the moment.” The Warwick Valley Central School District has also posted a statement on its Web site, www.warwickvalleyschools.com, along with a link to the CDC and state DOH Web sites. “Our director of health and safety has been working with our head nurse and coaches to make sure the district adheres to all the standards put forth to avoid this (virus),” said School Superintendent Dr. Frank Greenhall. Recent media reports also tell people that MRSA, as well as other Staph infections, can be prevented. The CDC’s Web site reminds the public to practice good hygiene, by means of: keeping hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; keeping cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed; avoiding contact with other people’s wounds or bandages; and avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors. In addition to the CDC recommendations, Livingston, the Chester superintendent, added some simple advice: “Using common sense is what’s important here.” Essential Information • General MRSA information: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention /www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ ar_mrsa_ca_public.html • The New York State Department of Health www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/ communicable/staphylococcus_aureus/ methicillin_resistant/community_associated/fact_sheet.htm • The Orange County Department of Health www.co.orange.ny.us/orgMain.asp? orgid=49&storyTypeID=&sid=& • Information on MRSA and schools: www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/