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Another Local Student Infected With MRSA
By Keith Hagarty and Bill McLaughlin
A student at Griebling Elementary School in Howell is the latest in a long line of area pupils who have been infected over the last two months with a persistent staph infection.
The latest reported case in Howell last week comes on the heels of reports from two students infected in two of Howell's Middle Schools, Manchester Middle School, Ocean Township High School and Manasquan High School, Point Pleasant Boro High School, Forked River Elementary School, New Egypt High School in Plumsted, Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River, Jackson Memorial High School, Lakewood High School and Central Regional High School.
According to Howell school officials, Griebling Elementary School received confirmation that one of their students has been diagnosed with MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus). The student was undergoing medical treatment for the infection and was removed from school last week. School custodians have since been disinfecting the entire school.
"We are confident that these measures will help protect our students." said Howell Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden.
Central Regional School District officials recently said one of their pupils had been treated for the MRSA skin infection.
The student, who was not identified, was treated at Community Medical Center and released. When word spread that someone had been infected, some parents wanted to pull their children out of school.
Concern about the MRSA epidemic in New Jersey's schools arose when a seventh grader in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn died from the disease in September. MRSA only becomes serious when it enters the blood stream. The Brooklyn student's intermediate high school was closed until it could be scrubbed top to bottom with disinfectants.
For most, MRSA is a treatable skin infection, resembling an abscess or pus-filled blister, which ironically is most prevalent in hospital settings. Another 10-15 percent of the population, active people who are prone to cuts and scrapes such as children and athletes, are also vulnerable.
The National Institute for Health recommends that children not share personal items like towels, toothbrushes, razors and combs. Frequent hand washing with hot water is another key to prevention of staphylococcus aureus.
Soon after the news of the student's infection, Central Regional Superintendent of Schools David Trethaway said that the incident had been handed by school professionals who concluded there was no potential risk to other students.
"We had dismissal at the normal time today," Trethaway said. "The student was treated and given a clean bill of health. Rumors tend to spread when only part of the story gets out. There was no risk to students."
Some of the hygiene tips local school administrators have referenced from The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help reduce your risk of infection include: keeping your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water; cleaning thoroughly after athletic workouts and contact with other players; utilizing alcoholbased hand sanitizers when soap and water are unavailable; laundering athletic uniforms and other athletic clothing in hot water, and drying them in a hot dryer; sanitizing athletic equipment after use to avoid transmission of bacteria; if you have an open wound, be sure to clean it well, and keep it covered with a bandage that attaches to the skin on all sides; and never sharing or borrowing towels, razors, soap or any other personal items.
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