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.pdf

Link to U.S. Centers for Disease Control information on MRSA in Schools

Information 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.pdf

Link 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.pdf

Link 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.pdf

Link to U.S. Centers for Disease Control information on MRSA in Schools

12/14/07: 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.pdf

Link 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.pdf

Staph 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.pdf

Staph Fact Sheets.pdf

Link to U.S. Centers for Disease Control information on MRSA in Schools


11/6/07: 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.pdf

Staph Fact Sheets.pdf


11/5/07: 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.pdf

Gene 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.pdf


10/25/07: 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.