01/28/08: A single case of MRSA Staph infection was confirmed at Howard Elementary School in Gallatin on Monday. Letters and information will be sent home with students this afternoon. Additional cleaning on the school building will be completed today.
This is the fourth confirmed MRSA Staph infection case since Sumner County Schools returned to session following the winter break. Cases were previously reported at H.B. Williams Elementary School in White House and at Vena Stuart and Benny Bills elementaries in Gallatin.
Local, regional, and state health officials have assured us that this
situation is not unusual, nor is it a cause for undue alarm. We are
taking steps to protect students and staff by following the advice
given to us by public health officials.
In the time since we received the first confirmation of an MRSA case in one of our schools, we have met with principals of all grade levels to discuss this situation. Information was provided by our chief nurse and our custodial supervisory staff concerning routine precautions that should be taken at every school. All of our schools have reviewed their standard cleaning activities to make sure we are doing everything possible to reduce the spread of any germs brought into our facilities.
The
following are downloadable pdf files of the letters sent to families of Vena Stuart students. We also are posting a packet of
information
concerning MRSA Staph infections that was provided by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. You may download the information
here, or it is provided following this information along with a link to
the CDC.
Letter to Howard parents.pdf
Staph Fact Sheets.pdfLink to U.S. Centers for Disease Control information on MRSA in SchoolsInformation about Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
What is Staphylococcus aureus?
• This bacteria, often called Staph, is one of the most common causes of skin infections in the U.S.
• Staph is usually found on the skin or in the noses of healthy people. This is called colonization.
• The majority of Staph infections are minor (pimples and boils)
•
Staph can also cause more serious infections such as surgical wound
infections and pneumonia that require special antibiotics for
treatment.
What is MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)?
•
MRSA is a type of Staph germ that is hard to treat with some commonly
used antibiotic medicines. It has developed something called
resistance, or the inability of certain antibiotics to kill the germ.
• Because of resistance, MRSA can be hard to treat and can lead to life-threatening blood or bone infections.
What type of infections does MRSA cause?
•
In the community most MRSA infections are skin infections that may
appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or
have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur at
sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of
the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit,
beard area of men).
• Almost all MRSA skin infections can be
effectively treated by drainage of pus with or without antibiotics.
More serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or
bone infections, are very rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin
infections.
How is MRSA transmitted?
•
MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact
with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone
else’s infection (e.g., towels, used bandages).
In what settings do MRSA skin infections occur?
• MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere.
• Some settings have factors that make it easier for MRSA to be transmitted.
•
These factors, referred to as the 5 C’s, are as follows: Crowding,
frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised skin (i.e., cuts or
abrasions), Contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of Cleanliness.
•
Locations where the 5 C’s are common include schools, dormitories,
military barracks, households, correctional facilities, and daycare
centers.
How do I protect myself from getting MRSA?
You can protect yourself from getting MRSA by:
•
practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping your hands clean by washing with
soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and showering
immediately after participating in exercise);
• covering skin trauma such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage until healed;
•
avoiding sharing personal items (e.g., towels, razors) that come into
contact with your bare skin; and using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a
towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as weight-training
benches;
• maintaining a clean environment by establishing cleaning
procedures for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into
direct contact with people’s skin.
Should schools close because of an MRSA infection?
•
The decision to close a school for any communicable disease should be
made by school officials in consultation with local and/or state public
health officials. However, in most cases, it is not necessary to close
schools because of an MRSA infection in a student. It is important to
note that MRSA transmission can be prevented by simple measures such as
hand hygiene and covering infections.
Should the school be closed to be cleaned or disinfected when an MRSA infection occurs?
•
Covering infections will greatly reduce the risks of surfaces becoming
contaminated with MRSA. In general it is not necessary to close schools
to “disinfect” them when MRSA infections occur. MRSA skin infections
are transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact and contact with
surfaces that have come into contact with someone else’s infection.
•
When MRSA skin infections occur, cleaning and disinfection should be
performed on surfaces that are likely to contact uncovered or poorly
covered infections.
• Cleaning surfaces with detergent-based
cleaners or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered
disinfectants is effective at removing MRSA from the environment.
Should the entire school community be notified of every MRSA infection?
•
Usually, it should not be necessary to inform the entire school
community about a single MRSA infection. When an MRSA infection occurs
within the school population, the school nurse and school physician
should determine, based on their medical judgment, whether some or all
students, parents and staff should be notified. Consultation with the
local public health authorities should be used to guide this decision.
• Remember that staphylococcus (staph) bacteria, including MRSA, have been and remain a common cause of skin infections.
Should students with MRSA skin infections be excluded from attending school?
• Unless directed by a physician, students with MRSA infections should not be excluded from attending school.
•
Exclusion from school and sports activities should be reserved for
those with wound drainage (“pus”) that cannot be covered and contained
with a clean, dry bandage and for those who cannot maintain good
personal hygiene.
I have an MRSA skin infection. How do I prevent spreading it to others?
•
Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered
with clean, dry bandages until healed. Follow your healthcare
provider’s instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected
wounds can contain staph, including MRSA, so keeping the infection
covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages and tape can
be discarded with the regular trash.
• Clean your hands frequently.
You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands
frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer,
especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
•
Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items, such as
towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms, that may have had
contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and
clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent. Use a
dryer to dry clothes completely.
PREVIOUS SCHOOL HEALTH ISSUES UPDATES
1/25/08: A single case of MRSA
Staph infection was confirmed at Vena Stuart Elementary School in
Gallatin on Friday. Letters and information will be sent home with
students this afternoon. Additional cleaning on the school building and
the student's bus has already been completed.
This is the third
confirmed MRSA Staph infection case since Sumner County Schools
returned to session following the winter break. Cases were previously
reported at H.B. Williams Elementary School in White House and Benny
Bills Elementary in Gallatin.
The
following are downloadable pdf files of the letters sent to families of Vena Stuart students. We also are posting a packet of
information
concerning MRSA Staph infections that was provided by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. You may download the information
here, or it is provided following this information along with a link to
the CDC.
Letter to Vena Stuart Parents.pdf
Staph Fact Sheets.pdfLink to U.S. Centers for Disease Control information on MRSA in Schools
01/21/08: A single case of MRSA
Staph infection was confirmed at Benny Bills Elementary School in
Gallatin on Monday. Letters and information will be sent home with
students this afternoon. Additional cleaning on the school building has
already been completed and cleaning of the student's bus should be
completed this afternoon.
This is the second confirmed MRSA
Staph infection case since Sumner County Schools returned to session
following the winter break. One was previously reported at H.B.
Williams Elementary School in White House.
Local, regional, and state health officials have assured us that this
situation is not unusual, nor is it a cause for undue alarm. We are
taking steps to protect students and staff by following the advice
given to us by public health officials.
In the time since we received the first confirmation of an MRSA
case in one of our schools, we have met with principals of all grade
levels to discuss this situation. Information was provided by our chief
nurse and our custodial supervisory staff concerning routine
precautions that should be taken at every school. All of our schools
have reviewed their standard cleaning activities to make sure we are
doing everything possible to reduce the spread of any germs brought
into our facilities.
The
following are downloadable pdf files of the letters sent to families of Benny Bills students. We also are posting a packet of
information
concerning MRSA Staph infections that was provided by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. You may download the information
here, or it is provided following this information along with a link to
the CDC.
Letter to Benny Bills parents.pdf
Staph Fact Sheets.pdfLink to U.S. Centers for Disease Control information on MRSA in Schools
01/15/08: A single case of MRSA
Staph infection was confirmed at H.B. Williams Elementary School in
White House on Tuesday. Letters and information will be sent home with
students this afternoon. Additional cleaning on the school building has
already been completed and cleaning of the student's bus should be
completed this afternoon.
This is the first confirmed MRSA
Staph infection case since Sumner County Schools returned to session
following the winter break.
The
following are downloadable pdf files of the letters sent to families of H.B. Williams students. We also are posting a packet of
information
concerning MRSA Staph infections that was provided by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. You may download the information
here, or it is provided following this information along with a link to
the CDC.
Letter to H.B. Williams parents.pdf
Staph Fact Sheets.pdfLink to U.S. Centers for Disease Control information on MRSA in Schools12/14/07: A single case of MRSA
Staph infection was confirmed at Rucker-Stewart Middle School in
Gallatin on Friday, Dec. 14. Notices will be sent home to parents this
afternoon. Out of an abundance of caution, additional cleaning has
already taken place at the school.
Appropriate measures have been taken involving the individual diagnosed
with the infection. Privacy laws prevent us from making any additional
comments about the individual.
The
following are downloadable pdf files of the letters sent to families of Rucker-Stewart students. We also are posting a packet of
information
concerning MRSA Staph infections that was provided by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. You may download the information
here, or it is provided following this information along with a link to
the CDC.
Rucker-Stewart Parent Letter.pdf
Staph Fact Sheets.pdfLink to U.S. Centers for Disease Control information on MRSA in Schools
11/16/07: Single cases of MRSA
Staph infection were
confirmed at Indian Lake Elementary School and Hendersonville High
School on Friday, Nov. 16. Notices will be sent home to parents this
afternoon. Out of an abundance of caution, additional cleaning is
underway at both schools.
Appropriate measures have been taken involving the individuals diagnosed
with the infection. Privacy laws prevent us from making any additional
comments about the individuals.
The
following are downloadable pdf files of the letters sent to families of
Indian Lake and Hendersonville High students. We also are posting a
packet of
information
concerning MRSA Staph infections that was provided by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. You may download the information
here, or it is provided following this information along with a link to
the CDC.
Indian Lake Elementary Parent Letter.pdf
Hendersonville High Parent Letter.pdfStaph Fact Sheets.pdf
11/14/07: A case of MRSA Staph infection was
confirmed at North Sumner Elementary School on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Notices will be sent home to parents this
afternoon. Out of an abundance of caution, additional cleaning is underway at the school.
Appropriate measures have been taken involving the individual diagnosed
with the infection. Privacy laws prevent us from making any additional
comments about the person.
The
following is a downloadable pdf file of the letter sent to families of
North Sumner Elementary School students. We also are posting a packet
of
information
concerning MRSA Staph infections that was provided by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. You may download the information
here, or it may be accessed through the listed link to
the CDC.
North Sumner Elementary Parent Letter.pdfStaph Fact Sheets.pdfLink to U.S. Centers for Disease Control information on MRSA in Schools11/6/07: A case of MRSA Staph infection was
confirmed at Clyde Riggs Elementary School on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Notices will be sent home to parents this
afternoon. Out of an abundance of caution, additional cleaning is underway at the school.
The
following is a downloadable pdf file of the letter sent to families of
Clyde Riggs Elementary School students. We also are posting a packet of
information
concerning MRSA Staph infections that was provided by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. You may download the information
here, or it is provided at the bottom of this page along with a link to
the CDC.
Clyde Riggs Elementary Parent Letter.pdfStaph Fact Sheets.pdf11/5/07: At approximately 11 a.m. today, Monday, Nov. 5, a case of MRSA Staph infection was confirmed at Gallatin High School. Notices to parents will go home this afternoon. Out of an abundance of caution, a plan is being formulated to provide extra cleaning at the school beginning this afternoon.
The
following is a downloadable pdf file of the letter sent to families of Gallatin High students. We also are posting a packet of information concerning MRSA Staph infections that was provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You may download the information here, or it is provided at the bottom of this page along with a link to the CDC.
GHS Parent Letter.pdf
Staph Fact Sheets.pdf
11/2/07: At approximately 1 p.m. on Friday, School District officials received confirmation of MRSA Staph infection cases at Gene Brown Elementary School in Hendersonville and Beech High School. Each school has one confirmed case. Letters are being sent home today to notify families of these cases.
Out of an abundance of caution, additional cleaning efforts are already underway at Gene Brown Elementary School, and similar activities are gearing up at Beech High School and will begin this afternoon.
The following are downloadable pdf files of the packets prepared for families at Beech High School and Gene Brown Elementary School. The packet sent home to Beech families did not include the MRSA Fact Sheets that are included here due to time constraints in getting the letters copied in time for dismissal.
Beech High Information Packet.pdfGene Brown Elementary Information Packet.pdf
10/31/07: Sumner County Schools received its first confirmation of an MRSA Staph infection during the day on Tuesday, Oct. 30. The case is at J.W. Wiseman Elementary School in Portland.
The attached packet of information was prepared on Tuesday afternoon and is going home with Wiseman students today.
Wiseman Parent Info.pdf10/25/07: For the past several weeks, the media has presented several reports concerning students who have been diagnosed with MRSA, also known as antibiotic-resistant Staph infections. In an effort to keep the public informed about MRSA in Sumner County Schools, we will use this webpage to post the latest information we have about this situation.
As of this writing, district administrators are unaware of any confirmed MRSA cases in our schools. Because the bacteria that causes Staph infections is naturally occurring, and because of increased awareness of Staph infections due to recent media reports, it is possible that we may have reported cases of MRSA at some point in the near future. If a case is reported and confirmed at any school, we will send additional information home with students to keep you informed of the situation.
We are in contact with local, regional, and state health officials about this situation. We have already posted information to our website concerning general measures that should be used to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Additionally, we are in contact with our principals and custodial managers to reinforce the importance of keeping potential school-related sources for the spread of germs and bacteria as clean as possible.
If you believe your child might have a Staph infection or any other health issues, you are urged to contact your family physician for diagnosis and treatment.
In order to give you the best information we have available, we are posting the following link and information concerning MRSA that was provided to us by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.