Staph Infection Outbreak Leads to Warnings of Proper Hygiene

Amy McConnell
11.15.07

Classes were interrupted by a booming voice that came over the intercom on Oct. 18, ordering all athletic lockers to be emptied before the end of the school day. This announcement was made in response to an outbreak of MRSA, or antibiotic resistant staph infections within the Papillion-La Vista School District.

MRSA is an antibiotic resistant form of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureas, which can lead to more severe infections in the bloodstream and pneumonia. In a worst-case scenario, fatalities can occur as students in Virginia discovered when a classmate became infected and passed away one week later. MRSA causes skin infections that can look like a pimple and be red, swollen or painful.

Though no cases of MRSA infections have been diagnosed within PL South, three cases have been reported in other schools throughout the district. In an effort to prevent MRSA from spreading to PL South, steps were taken on Oct. 19 to rid the school of potential MRSA germs.

“Over the long weekend the athletic lockers, weight room and training room were all thoroughly sanitized,” principal Dr. Enid Schonewise said. Aside from cleaning the athletic lockers, the administration at PL South is instituting other preventative measures within the school.

“We’re having all coaches remind their athletes to have good hygiene, wash their clothes and keep everything clean,” Schonewise said. In addition, phone calls went out to all PL South parents asking them to remind their student to practice good hygiene. There are simple steps students can take to keep MRSA from becoming an issue at PL South.

“Everybody needs to shower and wash their hands,” school nurse Sandy Volquartsen said. Students need to be aware of signs their body can give them regarding MRSA.

“To be cautious, if you notice you have any abrasions, get to the nurse and have it treated right away,” Schonewise said. Although MRSA can happen to anyone, it is more prominent among student athletes. Athletic teams should take certain precautions to help prevent can outbreak of MRSA. These precautions include: covering open wounds or sores before activities, showering using warm water and avoiding sharing any personal items. Student opinions vary on the seriousness of MRSA.

“I think everybody’s making this worse than it really is because staph isn’t really that big of a deal because if you just get antibiotics then you’re fine,” sophomore Robin Marsala said. Others believe that one can never be too cautious.

“Well, one kid in Virginia died from it... I think it’s something you need to be really careful of,” junior Kristen Plourde said. Whether students think MRSA is being blown out of proportion or not, the administration at PL South will take any measures available if it means keeping students safe.

“We’re always very concerned about student safety and health and we’ll do our best to address it in the most efficient way,” Schonewise said.