Track Ida

Track Ida
Hurricane maps, forecast and more

°

Homepage / Jacksonville News
Text Size

Officials Suspect MRSA Infection At Elementary School

POSTED: Thursday, October 25, 2007
UPDATED: 11:36 am EDT October 26, 2007

A thorough disinfecting process began Thursday at an Avondale elementary school after a student was hospitalized with a suspected case of staph infection that has been popping up in schools across the country.

Duval County School District spokeswoman Jill Johnson confirmed that precautions were being taken at Fishweir Elementary School against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

School officials said a second-grade student was taken to a hospital and released. The child's parent informed the principal that a hospital diagnosed the child's infection as MRSA.

Johnson said doctors at a hospital saw the student on Wednesday and on Thursday the child was treated by a family physician.

The health departmechool officials, as well as parents of children from Fishweir are eagerly waiting to hear test results to know whether the student is infected with the superbug.

The results could be released as early as Friday. The Health Department will not be confirming the case because it will only confirm if multiple cases are involved.

Nonetheless, a letter was sent home with students on Thursday explaining the infection and precautions.

About a dozen workers inside the school went from classroom to classroom, disinfecting all surfaces as a precaution.

"We've cleaned all the desks, all the common areas, doorknobs and also working to clean the bathrooms and any other common areas the child might have been," Johnson said.

Health officials said any child with a skin lesion, a boil, or redness or puss coming out of a wound should be checked by a physician or health care provider.

A 4-year-old in Salisbury, N.H., and a high school student in Virginia died earlier this month of complications from MRSA infections.

Last week, three Georgia middle school students were diagnosed with the antibiotic-resistant staph infection.

Near Indianapolis, more than 100 high school students were sent home after they found out that one of their fellow classmates might have the infection.

Johnson said area schools have moved forward since hearing of incidents at other schools by doing additional disinfecting at all schools.

"It's transmitted basically by direct skin-to-skin contact. It is not transmitted in routine work activities or routine school activities," Dr. Nilmarie Guz told Channel 4. Last week, the executive director of the Duval County Health Department said MRSA is more common than most people think.

"It's a bacterial infection that can be pretty serious and resistant to antibiotic treatment," Dr. Robert Harmon said. "People with immune deficiencies and older individuals are more susceptible."

Harmon said the best way to stay protected is to wash hands frequently.

"The important thing is to keep wounds clean, wash hands frequently and if any cut is not getting better, see a doctor quickly," Harmon said.

Friday is a teacher planning day for Duval County schools, which there will be no school for students. Administrators said the day off is a good thing because the cleaning process could continue and things would be back to normal on Monday.

The views expressed are not those of News4Jax.com, WJXT or its affiliated companies. This is a community moderated forum. (Please note the 'Like' and 'Report' tabs.) By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms of Use.

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

Sponsored Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Don’t believe everything people tell you about home improvement. Check out the top 4 myths and stop throwing away your money. More

If you have aspirations of becoming a millionaire, check out these five habits that may be worth emulating. More

Eating breakfast is good for you, but eating a healthy breakfast is even better. Get the scoop on which breakfast foods are the most nutritious. More

You’ve heard of certain foods that can help you prevent cancer and even halt the spread of the disease. Find out if these anti-cancer foods really work. More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

  • VideoClick to Expand

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand

    • Your Photos Of Sea & Sky Spectacular

      Air show pix: Blue Angels jet with flagSEE IT, SNAP IT, SEND IT: Thousands of eyes and nearly as many cameras pointed toward the sky over Jacksonville's beaches this weekend for the Sea & Sky Spectacular.

    • Quinn Gray Evidence Photos

      Quinn Gray shows injuries she says were a result of her kidnappingQuinn Gray showed investigators marks on her arms and legs she said were the result of her kidnapping. Slideshow

    • Celebrities Commit Fashion Faux Pas

      David HasselhoffTop-dollar designs don't always provide a good return for the rich and famous. Check out which celebs were caught in fashion flops.

    • Images: Flames Engulf, Destroy Mobile Home

      Nassau County House FireAn 800 square foot mobile home in Nassau County was destroyed by fire Tuesday night. Both residents in the home escaped safely.

    • Have You Seen These Fugitives?

      WOJ-ANDRE-FULTZCapturing N.E. Florida's wanted suspects is a tough task, so the local station is trying to help with the Wheel of Justice. Every Thursday morning, the wheel spins and a wanted fugitive is profiled. Images: Fugitives On 'Wheel'