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The Wyoming County Health Department has confirmed that the open sores and lesions found on more than 50 students in three schools last week were the result of a staph infection known as MRSA.
“Laboratory testing of samples from several cases has confirmed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),” the health department reported in a statement.
“Staph and MRSA bacteria spread through direct, skin-to-skin contact, such as during contact sports, wrestling, or other physical interactions. Transmission also occurs through contact with contaminated items, such as shared towels, personal care items, or athletic equipment in gymnasiums and sports facilities,” the statement said.
The outbreak led the county board of education to close all public schools in the county for one day, while the three schools impacted were closed for the remainder of the week.
“One of the things we learned via COVID is to address this in terms of cleanliness, very aggressively,” Interim Superintendent of Schools Deirdre Cline said. “The overlap with sports teams and siblings gave our school nurses pause, gave us here at the central office team pause, and we wanted to do the right, safe thing by our children. And we didn’t know what this was.”
Active MRSA infections typically occur when the bacteria enter the body through a cut or other opening, according to the health department.
They recommend anyone with new or unexplained rashes or sores seek medical evaluation and said school nurses should monitor and track additional cases. Schools should also ensure consistent access to soap, running water and handwashing facilities and maintain routine environmental cleaning with increased frequency for high-touch surfaces and shared equipment.
Westside High offered to postpone its homecoming game, originally scheduled for last Friday.
“Westside High School does a lot more for homecoming than just play a football game. And they wanted to be able to do it right and well for their students,” Cline said. “So they volunteered to just simply postpone their homecoming game.”
Mullens Elementary and Middle School and both high schools are open again this week. Westside High will celebrate its homecoming this weekend.