Staph Outbreak at NU High School

Courtesy Black Hawk County Health Dept.

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By Mike Wagner

Story Created: Aug 27, 2007 at 2:26 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 27, 2007 at 5:02 PM CST

The Black Hawk County Health Department has received laboratory confirmation of multiple cases of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, or staph) at NU High School in Cedar Falls. At this time all of the cases are those students who are directly involved in athletic activities, primarily the football team.

NU High School officials have notified all families of school students and athletes about the outbreak, including relevant information about the disease. There is no need to close NU High School on a temporary basis. With proper precautions by the athletic team staff, athletic events will not have to be cancelled at this time.

Staphylococcus aureus, often called staph, are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25 to 30% of the population carries staph bacteria, but are not infectious. About 1% of staph is MRSA, which is a more serious type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin.

Staph or MRSA infections are spread by direct contact with infected skin, or sore. MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage, and occur in otherwise healthy people. Community-associated MRSA has been increasingly found among athletic teams, and other groups that have close skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions and shower and dress in close proximity.

Preventive Care and Hygiene Practice:
1. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
Athletic team participants must double-cover their sores with wrap bandages, long sleeves or long pants (participation is not recommended if double coverage is not possible)

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