October 23, 2007

Four Cases of Staph Infections Reported in Delmarva Schools

10/23/2007 9:33 AM ET

Dover High School (Photo: WBOC)

Deal Island Elementary School
 

UNDATED- Officials have confirmed four cases of students with staph infections in three different schools across Delmarva.

The infection consists of MRSA (methicilin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), an antiobiotic-resistant form of staph infection, which is spread by simple contact.

In Delaware, Delmar Middle School officials say they had two reported cases of staph infections on Friday. Officials say the two students have been treated and are under doctor's care. The school says the two students contracted the staph infection off of school grounds.

Officials say the school has alerted the school community, which includes parents and guardians. The school says the middle and high school, which share the same building, were disinfected over the weekend.

And officials at Dover High School also reported a female student diagnosed with MRSA on Friday. Officials say the student was treated with antibiotics and was told not to return to school for 48 hours. The school says letters were sent to parents on Monday.

Officials say that four other students at the high school had possible symptoms of MRSA on Monday but have not been diagnosed. Assistant superintendent Dr. Tina Huff said the school is doing a more thorough than usual cleaning of locker rooms, desks and classrooms.

On Maryland's Eastern Shore, officials at Deal Island Elementary school say a confirmed case of staph infection was reported on Monday at 2:30 p.m.

The school said the sick child is at home. Officials say the school was closed Monday because of a teacher professional day. The school was bleached and cleaned on the same day.

Officials say letters will be sent to parents.

Parents of students at the affected schools say they are worried about the safety of the children who attend them.

Dorene Davis, a parent of a student at Delmar Middle School, said, "I was very concerned. I have children there and I have day care kids who are also affected by that."

Doctors say the latest outbreaks are scary because young people are the ones being affected.

Dr. James Burns at the Main Street Medical Center in Salisbury said, "It is a big deal because most of the people we're seeing this in are young, healthy individuals and it's causing, not mortality, it's causing a great deal of morbidly because you have to pull these people out of whatever activities they're participating in."

NOTE: Even though officials have stated that it is not being pasted within the school..... I have to still wonder.