By ANTHONY BOTTAN
With more than 15 confirmed cases of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus reported in Nassau County in the past two months, the health department held an informational meeting with superintendents from the county's 57 school districts last Wednesday at the Nassau University Medical Center.
Doctors on the forum's panel 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.
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.
