November 2, 2007

MRSA infection at Ivy Drive School

Just released letter to the press:

We were informed this morning that a student at Ivy Drive School had a positive result for the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureaua [MRSA] infection. We are confident that the infection was treated appropriately and that precautions were taken to eliminate the risk of spreading the infection to others. In addition to our customary custodial practices, the following precautionary steps were taking upon receipt of this notification:

1. Under the direct supervision of Mr. William Smyth, Assistant to the Supervision for Business and Mr. Peter Fusco, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, the custodial staff was directed to wipe down all surfaces in which the student may have come into contact with the recommended disinfectant including all common areas such as the cafeteria and library.
2. We have been in communication with the Bristol-Burlington Health District to assure that appropriate protocols are in place at all of our schools.
3. The school nurse will refer any students who may have a suspicious looking infection to their pediatrician.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureaua is a type of staff infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics. MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils. Skin infections caused by staph may be red, swollen, and painful or have pus or other drainage”.

The Bristol Public Schools are committed to maintaining a healthy school environment for our students and staff. Thank you for your support and cooperation in these efforts.

Sincerely,
Susan Kalt Moreau, Ph.D.
Deputy Superintendent of Schools


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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is why we need the K-8 megaschools.

Anonymous said...

to anonymous poster at 8:23p,

I sure hope you were being faceteous with your statement.....

In my book, this is a prime example why we do NOT want k-8 megaschools.

Anonymous said...

Ditto.

No more mega-schools:
Infectious disease petri dishes and disease vectors.

If hospitals can't control antibiotic resistant staph, how do you expect primary schools?

Anonymous said...

No K-8.

I do appreciate though the calls from the Superintendant regarding the MRSA issue.

This could not have been an idea from Doyle or O'Brien because thers a pair that beats a full house. They would be incapable of notifing the public about anything!

Anonymous said...

sadly, in Bristol a potential tragedy for a child is used as political fodder.
maybe the child was infected elsewhere?

Anonymous said...

Infected in their own enivornment then caught at school? MRSA can be anywhere!

x man said...

the infection was reported at a K-6 school.
maybe we should go down to a K-4 system
--really, is this a function of school size?

Anonymous said...

You have a better chance of getting MRSA from a shopping cart handle then in a school. Grow up people and stop using excuses for improving our schools.

Anonymous said...

I don't think it's shopping carts that these kids are picking it up from. Otherwise there would be more adults coming down with MRSA.

As for improving our schools - Buildings don't improve test scores, Better Programs, Administrators & Teachers Do.