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MRSA case confirmed in Highland elementary
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
MONTEREY- This week, Highland County Public Schools superintendent Gary Blair reported "a confirmed case of colonized MRSA in our elementary school."
MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a form of staph infection.
"From my discussions with the Department of Education, health authorities, as well as the Central Shenandoah Health District and our local health department, a colonized case means that an active infection is not present. Therefore, the student is permitted to remain in school," said Blair.
The Virginia Department of Health reported in the July 2005 edition of the Virginia Epidemiology Bulletin that "MRSA can spread among people who have close contact with infected or colonized individuals, usually through direct physical contact. Spread of the organism has also been shown to occur through indirect contact with contaminated objects (e.g., towels, sheets, wound dressings, clothes, workout areas, or sports equipment)." Another bulletin titled "MRSA Reporting and Control Guidelines," issued by the Henrico County Health Department for the 2006-07 season, said, "A resident or staff member may be colonized with MRSA, meaning that he/she has the bacteria living on the surface of his/her hands or in the nasal passage but there is no tissue damage being caused by the organism. MRSA is often transmitted by individuals who unknowingly spread the bacteria via colonized hands ... Research has shown that colonized hands are the most effective transmitter of the bacteria."
The bulletin goes on to say, "A MRSA infection causes tissue damage and presents as a variety of illnesses, such as abscesses, endocarditis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and toxic shock syndrome." Infection is different from colonization.
MRSA is a concern, health officials say, but it is not uncommon and it is treatable.
The best prevention is simply washing one's hands and covering wounds.
The Center for Disease Control says 25-30 percent of the population is colonized with staph, approximately 1 percent is colonized with MRSA ... "The main mode of transmission of staph and/or MRSA is via hands which may become contaminated by contact with colonized or infected individuals, colonized or infected body sites of other persons; or devices, items or environmental surfaces contaminated with body fluids containing staph or MRSA. Other factors contributing to transmission include skin-to-skin contact, crowded conditions, and poor hygiene."
The form of MRSA infection commonly found outside of hospitals looks like a boil or abscess and is treated by incision and drainage, depending on severity, the CDC says.
Last week, area schools implemented procedures to reduce the possibility of the spread of staph infections. "I see kids lining up all the time (to wash their hands)," said Blair.
Custodians continue to clean at a higher than usual level and new cleaning products that are more effective at controlling bacteria are on order, said Blair.
Gov. Timothy Kaine last week approved an emergency regulation by the State Health Commissioner requiring laboratories to report MRSA infection to the Virginia Department of Health.
Staph infections are passed from person to person through direct contact with skin or contaminated items. The bacteria, which live in noses and on skin, are not a problem most of the time. Staph can enter the body through breaks in the skin and cause infection. Symptoms include pimples, rashes, and pus-filled boils, especially when they are warm, painful, red or swollen, said the Virginia Department of Health.
"I cannot overstate the importance of proper handwashing techniques both at school and at home. It is of the utmost importance that parents become aware of the appropriate techniques for hand-washing and insist that their children do this not only at home but at other locations as well," Blair said last week.
Parents were advised to clean wounds and cover them with a clean, dry bandage. "Wounds that do not heal properly need medical attention," said Blair.
Additional information is available at the Virginia Department of Health Web site: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
VDH suggests the proper way to wash hands is to wet, soap, wash for 20 seconds, rinse, dry and turn off the water with a paper towel. VDH encourages hand washing before eating and before and after using the toilet.
Blair said it takes at least three days to get laboratory tests completed to determine whether or not a simple staph infection is MRSA.
"We continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of each student here in Highland County," said Blair. "Please be assured that our priority remains that of the health, safety and welfare of all students."
When asked to comment further on the significance and meaning of colonized MRSA, Blair declined, preferring instead that medical questions be directed to the VDH.
HCPS sent notice of the colonized MRSA case to parents Wednesday afternoon.
Public health nurse Cathy Halterman of the Highland County Health Department declined comment as well.
Dr. George Damewood of Highland Medical Center declined to speak on the record about MRSA with The Recorder also.
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