By ANTHONY BOTTAN and JUDY RATTNER
There have been more than 15 confirmed cases of MRSA reported in Nassau County in the past two months. These staph infections, caused by bacteria commonly carried on the skin, or in the nose, were once largely confined to hospitals and other healthcare facilities, where the bacteria attacked patients with weakened immune systems. They can cause simple infections like pimples or boils, or more serious infections such as pneumonia or of the bloodstream. These antibiotic-resistant staph infections are now being reported in children and teens, many of whom have been in close contact with other students, sometimes through school sports.
According to the web site of the Rockville Centre School District, it was notified by Molloy College last week that one of its student observers, who was assigned to Riverside School, was diagnosed with MRSA. Riverside principal Tricia Bock sent home letters to parents of the two classes where the student observer had been placed, informing them of what had happened. An additional letter was sent home to all Riverside parents notifying them of the situation. There have been no reported MRSA cases among students or staff at Riverside. As a precaution, the district says its custodial staff sanitized all surfaces in both classrooms with anti-bacterial solutions on the evening it was notified.
A spokeswoman from Molloy College said the student, who was not identified, had been treated in an area hospital and had been released. No other cases have been reported at the college.
Even before the reported case, both Molloy College and the Rockville Centre school district had disseminated information on MRSA, and how to prevent its spread. And a letter on how to prevent MRSA, dated Oct. 30, was mailed to all school district residents.
RVC schools has also posted information about the bacteria on its web site, www.rvcschools.org, with a reminder to follow good hygiene. The best way to prevent the spread of any infection, including MRSA, is frequent, thorough hand washing with warm water and soap. Parents were advised that all open cuts and wounds should be covered. If any child shows signs of a skin infection, including redness, swelling or thick yellow drainage, parents are advised to contact their doctor immediately.
And in a continued effort to safeguard the health of students and staff, the district says it is reviewing cleaning procedures and will be regularly sanitizing high risk areas in the schools, such as gyms, locker rooms, weight rooms and cafeterias. Bathrooms will now be cleaned twice daily.
Rockville Centre School Superintendent Dr. William Johnson was among the county's 57 school superintendents who attended an informational meeting on MRSA last Wednesday at the Nassau University Medical Center. "Ninety percent of the health-related effort focuses on hand washing," he said. And while he said there is some conflicting information on what is the very best cleaning solution to use, the district will remain diligent and will communicate and share all information on MRSA as it becomes available.
Doctors on the forum's panel last week also stressed the importance of practicing good hygiene. "Hand hygiene is the single most important factor in preventing the spread of MRSA," said Dr. Daniel Kuhles.
Joanne Maniscalco, a registered nurse, added that students and faculty should wash their hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol for no less than 15 seconds. Thoroughly washing the back of the hands, wrists, between fingers and especially fingernails, Maniscalco said, can help prevent the spread of MRSA.
Kuhles said that 25 to 30 percent of healthy people carry the bacterial strain that causes MRSA on their noses or hands without becoming ill. Most people are unaware they are carrying the bacteria, he said, and never contract MRSA. Kuhles explained that a break in the skin that is not thoroughly cleaned can increase the chances of an infection.
To prevent the spread of the illness, Kuhles said, students and faculty should have ready access to soap and clean towels, and should steer clear of skin-to-skin contact with anyone with open or draining wounds. If an open wound needs to be dressed, Kuhles said, school personnel should wear gloves, dress the wound with a clean, dry bandage and wash their forearms and hands after removing the gloves.
The panel stressed that athletes should shower immediately after practices or games, and avoid sharing towels or equipment. Maniscalco said that wearing gloves is the first line of defense when dressing wounds, and that coaches should encourage players to report any changes in the appearance of their skin.
Bryan Matthews, a public health sanitarian, said that school personnel should follow the New York State Office of General Services' "green" guidelines for routine and school bus cleaning. They lists cleaners approved by the Environmental Protection Agency that are less damaging to the environment, with vapors that are less harmful to people.
Matthews said that when washing team jerseys or equipment, school personnel should use water that has a minimum temperature of 160 degrees, and a cup of bleach. There should be a regular cleaning of wrestling mats and massage tables, as well as weight room equipment. Matthews also said that schools should discard any equipment with damaged surfaces that cannot be adequately cleaned.
The panel added that athletes who play on artificial-turf fields may have increased chances of contracting MRSA, not because the turf is a reservoir for the bacteria, but because of turf burns. Playground equipment does not have to be sanitized, Matthews said, because the playground is exposed to light and weather, and MRSA cannot thrive in that environment.
Comments about this story? RVCeditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
