October 22, 2007

Two Reported Cases of Staph Infections at Delmar Middle School
 

DELMAR, Del..- Delmar Middle School officials say they had two reported cases of staph infections on Friday.

Officials say two students from Delmar Middle School have reported cases of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), an antibiotic-resistant form of staph infection, which is spread by simple contact.

The two students have been treated and are under doctors' care but their conditions and whether they have returned to school are not yet known. Officials say the two students contracted the staph infection off of school grounds.

Officials say as a precautionary measure and to be proactive, the school has alerted the school community, which includes parents and guardians.

Parents got the word by telephone Friday.

"I was very concerned," said parent Dorene Davis, "I have children there and I have day care kids who are also affected by that." She said her two girls cleaned out their lockers Friday and when they got home everything was cleaned. "I wanted them to wash their hands, and take a bath and clean their nails and wash their bookbags, and all the coats and stuff," Davis said.

Officials say the two students contracted the staph infection off of school grounds. The middle and high school, which share the same building, were disinfected over the weekend. Classes are still in session at the school.

Staph is a very common bacteria but it is the "MRSA" type of staph that is causing so much concern nationwide. Staph is the most common cause of skin infections in the U.S. and are easy to treat. However, MRSA is a deadly type of staph that is drug-resistant and harder to treat. Infections are spread person-to-person. The best defense is to keep hands and wounds clean.

Doctors say the latest outbreak is scary because it is happening to young people. "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, its causing a great deal of morbidly because you have to pull these people out of whatever activities they're participating in," said Dr. James Burns at the Main Street Medical Center in Salisbury.

Doctors say staph infections are often mistaken for bug bites. They often look like pimples or boils and can be red in color. They may also feel hot.