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Community-Associated
Methicillin-Resistent Staphylococcus Aureus
April 29, 2008
A Pashley Elementary School pupil is being treated for a skin infection that
has been confirmed to
be
Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus or CA-MRSA. The child is at home under the care of a
physician, is taking antibiotics, and will not
return to school until cleared by a physician.
Many school
districts throughout the state are dealing with this
issue this year, and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake is working closely with County Health Departments on the treatment and
prevention of CA-MRSA in our schools.
The district wants to assure
parents and staff that it is doing all that is
necessary to provide a safe and healthy school
environment for students and staff.
The illness & symptoms
Here is the basic information that
everyone should know:
CA-MRSA is a type of
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria normally carried
on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. Some
staph bacteria are resistant to the class of
antibiotics usually used to treat staph infections,
such as methicillin, and are referred to as
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
If a diagnosis of MRSA is made, a different type of
antibiotic is successfully used for treatment.
This infection commonly causes
boils and soft tissue infection. The symptoms
include redness, areas warm to the touch, pain,
drainage, discomfort and swelling.
If a child is
displaying these symptoms or if you have concerns
about your child’s health, please contact your
family physician. It is also very important to
report a diagnosed or suspected infectious condition
to your school nurse. As always, health
information is kept strictly confidential.
Proactive steps
Here are some of the proactive
steps taken at the Pashley School to ensure the safety and
well-being of our students:
• The classrooms, bus and areas
used by the student in question have been cleaned and
disinfected.
• As a further precaution, custodians and
maintenance staff are focusing on additional
cleaning of common areas including bathrooms and the
cafeteria.
• Health authorities
say this illness is more likely to occur in
populations where individuals work in close quarters
like sports locker rooms and may share personal objects like towels.
Please remind your students / athletes to clear out
their lockers regularly, not share any personal
items, and practice good hygiene.
• We continue to encourage
hand washing and reinforce good
hygiene practices with our general student and staff
populations.
 Steps to avoid an MRSA infection
include:
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Wash your hands frequently and carefully with
soap. "Careful hand washing is the single
most effective way to control spread of MRSA,"
according to the New York State Health
Department.
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Avoid sharing personal items such as towels and
razor.
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Athletes should avoid sharing equipment.
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Athletic equipment/mats should be wiped down
after use with commercial disinfectant or a
1:100 solution of diluted bleach.
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Athletes should shower after practices and
competitions.
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Anyone with an open wound or cut should keep it
protected by a dressing or bandage.
Additional Resources
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