Staph Outbreak in Anne Arundel Schools|ABC 7 News

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Staph Outbreak in Anne Arundel Schools

posted 11:47 am Wed October 10, 2007 - Annapolis, Md.

tags: staph • infection • school

A medical alert has been issued in Anne Arundel County after dozens of students have been infected with a potentially dangerous form of staph.

Anne Arundel County officials have reported 28 staph infections so far. Authorities say nine students and two adults from Severna Park High School have contracted staph along with seven students at Old Mill High School.

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Six other student infections have been reported at Chesapeake High School, and three more student cases and one adult case at Glen Burnie High.

A school system spokesperson says they don't know for sure how or where the students contracted the infection, but they are switching their cleaning solution to an anti-bacterial type used by hospitals.

Parents are asked to check their children for signs of the infection and urging cleanliness.

The disease takes hold in open cuts and wounds and typically first appears as a rash.

"When individuals have a break in their skin - a cut, a scrape, some kind of abrasion - that sets them up for an infection with either the garden-variety staph, or this resistant strain," said Frances Phillips with the Anne Arundel Co. Health Dept.

While treatable, multi-drug-resistant strains of the infection can have serious consequences.

"They told me if it got in my bloodstream it could kill me," said one infected person.

School officials have decided against closing schools. They simply urge parents and students to use caution.

"In our discussions with the health department, their recommendations are not that you stay home from school or that you change your activities or that you're quarantined or anything like that," said Dr. Kevin Maxwell of Anne Arundel Co. Schools. "Their recommendation is good hygiene, and if you have a sore, an open sore, then you should cover it and seal it."

Meantime, Rappahannock Schools Superintendent Bob Chappell says that Virginia school district is closing two schools because of fears about staph infections.

Rappahannock High School and Rappahannock Elementary School are closed Wednesday while crews disinfect them.

Chappel says some high school football players have been diagnosed with staph, and plans to disinfect the elementary school are precautionary.

One football player underwent surgery at UVA hospital for a fourth treatment for the infection.

Officials reportedly believe the infection spread by students sharing jerseys, clothing, and equipment.

The superintendant said there will be no football practice for the rest of the week and Friday's game against Clark County may be postponed or canceled.

Latest Comment on Staph Outbreak in Anne Arundel Schools

Eboy

8:39 am on 10/10/07

My doctor says there is an antibiotic-resistant form of staph spreading around the area.

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