To: Parents, Guardians, and Staff

IMPORTANT INFORMATION October 26, 2007

To: Parents, Guardians, and Staff

From: ______, Superintendent

The District has been informed that one student at ______Elementary School has a small, minor infection that tested positive for the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) bacteria. The student’s infection is under control and has been released by the family’s physician to attend school. Upon hearing this I wanted to share the following information which talks about this bacteria.

I also feel it is important for you to know about our district’s cleaning practices and procedures.

· District custodians use cleaning products that have bothantibacterial and antiviral agents

· Hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed around the district and more have been ordered

· Everyone should be encouraged to wash theirhands frequently

· Students should NOT eat or drink from each other

· Students using clay are to wash their hands before and immediately afterwards

· Fitness areas and all mats are sanitized frequently (this may be more often than daily depending upon use)

· Locker rooms and door knobs are also cleaned using antibacterial and antiviral solutions

While there is much media attention to CA-MRSA it is important to be informed about district procedures involving infection control among our student population.

FACT SHEET ABOUT CA-MRSA SKIN INFECTIONS

MRSA is a type of “staph” infection that is resistant to many antibiotics and frequently causes skin infections. MRSA usually appears as a bug bite, pimple or boil and is accompanied by drainage or pus. It’s very important to have these types of wounds evaluated by a physician. Untreated MRSA can infect others as well as advance into a more dangerous infection.

MRSA skin infections are generally spread by skin-to-skin contact or by direct contact with the infected wound drainage. MRSA may also be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces such as personal hygiene items like towels, sporting equipment and drinking fountains. MRSA skin infections are not spread through the air.

Staph aureus is a common skin infection and is carried by 30% of the population on the skin and in the nose. Only 1% of this population has the more difficult to treat staph aureus infection called MRSA.

Please be aware of the signs and symptoms of MRSA and practice the following infection control measures:

1. Frequent hand washing and good personal hygiene

2. Use hand sanitizer regularly

3. Cover all wounds until healed

4. Clean surfaces daily

5. See your doctor if you have the symptoms.

References:

www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/a_mrsa

www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbmrsa