More Schools Report Staph

Posted by Barbara Pytel Oct 28, 2007

It Isn't Here

Cases of MRSA, methocillin-resistant staphloccoccus aureus, first hit the news as a Dallas, Texas school reported an outbreak. About the same time, a 17-year-old Virginia student, Ashton Bonds, died of the same. Bonds' infection had spread to his kidneys, liver, lungs and the muscle around the heart. Omar Rivera, a 12-year-old 7th grader from Brooklyn, died of MRSA. When he became ill with a fever and rash, his mother took him to a doctor but it was too late.

It is easy to ignore a problem when it isn't on our doorstep. But, it seems to be landing on more doorsteps.

JAMA

The Journal of the American Medical Association released a study this month stating MRSA could be more deadly than AIDS. Over use of antibiotics has produced a "supergerm" that is resistant to antibiotics.

More States on The List

• Texas
• Virginia
• Connecticut
• New York
• Pennsylvania

Four students on Long Island were diagnosed with MRSA. Ten athletes at Iona College in New Rochelle were diagnosed with mild cases. Two Connecticut high school students have also contracted MRSA.

From Hospitals to Schools

This bacterium has been a battle after surgery in hospitals and has now moved into our schools. While outbreaks are easily preventable with hand-washing and proper hygiene, it is difficult to monitor all students in a school.