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Schools cite need for staph
measures
Health district, Central Office pass on information to parents
Washing your hands thoroughly and often is the best way to avoid the
spread of MRSA, the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
infections, better known simply as staph. Parents of Halifax County
public school students on Friday were sent letters from Dr. Charles
Devine, director of the Southside Health District, passing on
information about the issue which has recently been headlined across
the state.
“Knowledge is your best weapon,” writes Dr. Devine, as he points out
that in the vast majority of cases of staph it causes non-life
threatening skin infections, but is capable of causing very serious
invasive infection.
Accompanying Dr. Devine’s letter is information from Superintendent of
Schools Paul Stapleton who explains the steps being taken by the school
administration to prevent the spread of the infection where rumors say
several athletes may have already been infected.
Stapleton writes that in primary school environments cots, toys and
diaper cleaning changing surfaces should be cleaned and sanitized
thoroughly on a regular basis with phenol or chlorine wipe and teachers
and students should wash their hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizer
immediately upon entering the facility or classroom in the mornings or
after returning from outside play.
Also cuts and scrapes should be cleaned with soap and water and covered
with a bandage until healed. And children should not be permitted to
share personal items much as blankets, mats or clothing.
For secondary students the precautions are similar but also suggest
that medical attention should be sought immediately if a wound does not
heal properly or if it appears to be infected.
Stapleton also urges students and teachers to report any known or
suspected MRSA infections to the school nurse, and finally he
recommends that all keyboards be disinfected daily for five seconds
with chlorine or phenol based wipes.
The Superintendent also offers special advice for students involved in
athletics where across the state several have been infected. He
emphasizes that showering with soap after every practice or tournament
is very important, and suggests that liquid soap be used. He also
cautions against sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths,
razors, clothing or uniforms. “Never wipe your face with a towel used
on athletic equipment,” he writes. Other warnings include avoiding the
sharing of balms, lubricants and moisturizers.
Athletic equipment such as wrestling or gymnastics mats should wiped
down regularly with an antibacterial solution and lockers and benches
should be sanitized on a regular basis using disinfectant cleaners.
Whirlpools in athletic rooms must be emptied and disinfected between
uses, he notes.
Dr. Devine writes that the Health Department and the schools are
working closely to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent
the spread of infection and he calls on parents to do all they can to
help by following the simple solutions of frequent hand washing and the
routine cleaning of surfaces and sports equipment, as well as keeping
cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
But he writes, “Please be advised that federal, state and local
recommendations for control of MRSA do not include the cancellation of
school, practices or games. There is no medical need for schools to
close,” he concludes.