UNDATED-
Officials have confirmed four cases of students with
staph infections in three different schools across
Delmarva.
The infection consists of MRSA (methicilin-resistant
staphylococcus aureus), an antiobiotic-resistant form of
staph infection, which is spread by simple contact.
In Delaware, Delmar Middle
School officials say they had two reported cases of
staph infections on Friday. Officials say the two
students have been treated and are under doctor's
care. The school says the two students contracted the
staph infection off of school grounds.
Officials say the school has alerted the
school community, which includes parents and guardians.
The school says the middle and high school, which share
the same building, were disinfected over the weekend.
And officials at Dover High School
also reported a female student diagnosed with MRSA on
Friday. Officials say the student was treated with
antibiotics and was told not to return to school for 48
hours. The school says letters were sent to parents on
Monday.
Officials say that four other students
at the high school had possible symptoms of MRSA on
Monday but have not been diagnosed. Assistant
superintendent Dr. Tina Huff said the school is doing a
more thorough than usual cleaning of locker rooms, desks
and classrooms.
On Maryland's Eastern Shore, officials
at Deal Island Elementary school say a confirmed case of
staph infection was reported on Monday at 2:30 p.m.
The school said the sick child is at
home. Officials say the school was closed Monday because
of a teacher professional day. The school was bleached
and cleaned on the same day.
Officials say letters will be sent to
parents.
Parents of students at the affected
schools say they are worried about the safety of the
children who attend them.
Dorene Davis, a parent of a student at
Delmar Middle School, said, "I was very concerned. I
have children there and I have day care kids who are
also affected by that."
Doctors say the latest outbreaks are
scary because young people are the ones being affected.
Dr. James Burns at the Main Street
Medical Center in Salisbury said, "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, it's causing a great deal of morbidly because
you have to pull these people out of whatever activities
they're participating in."
NOTE: Even though officials have
stated that it is not being pasted within the
school..... I have to still wonder.