District takes proactive approach to MRSA prevention

Recently, there has been some media attention over MRSA infections, a type of infection caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.

Some cases have been reported in Saratoga County.

District officials are taking a proactive approach to ensure the health of students and staff.

Most importantly, students and staff at each school are being encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water, especially before eating, after using sports facilities or the restroom. In addition, school officials are making sure administrators, teachers, school nurses, coaches and the custodial staff have protective information available for themselves and to share with the school population. The importance of sanitation is being reinforced with the cleaning staff, and special emphasis is being placed on physical education and sports equipment, locker rooms and common surfaces and areas.

To prevent the spread of infection, the district’s health officials want to share the following tips to the community:

1. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, clothing or uniforms.
2. Report any suspicious skin sore or boil to the school nurse immediately.
3. If a person participates in close contact sports (e.g. wrestling and football) shower with soap immediately after each practice, game or match.
4. Non-washable gear should be wiped down with alcohol wipes after each use.
5. Open wounds should be covered with a bandage. Individuals with an infection that involves pus, who are involved in close contact sports, should be excluded until there is no pus drainage.
6. Any cut or break in the skin should be washed with soap and water, and a clean, dry dressing applied.

Staph bacteria are commonly carried on the skin and in the nose, and some strains are resistant to a class of antibiotics which are frequently used to treat it.

Staph, including MRSA, can be spread among people having close contact with an infected person, although MRSA is almost always spread by direct physical contact and not through the air.

It can be spread though indirect contact by touching objects contaminated with Staph bacteria or MRSA (such as towels, clothes, workout areas or sports equipment), but it is not as likely.