County shuts school system over ‘superbug’

updated 7:48 p.m. ET Oct. 27, 2007

PIKEVILLE, Ky. - An eastern Kentucky school district with one confirmed case of antibiotic-resistant staph infection plans to shut down all 23 of its schools Monday, affecting about 10,300 students, to disinfect the facilities.

The project will involve disinfecting classrooms, restrooms, cafeterias, hallways, locker rooms, buses and even external areas such as playgrounds and sports fields, said Roger Wagner, superintendent of Pike County schools.

"We're not closing schools because there's been a large number of breakouts, but as a preventive measure," Wagner said.

One Pike County student was diagnosed with in September with MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The bacterial strain can be treated with other antibiotics, but without treatment it can be deadly.

The bacteria was blamed for the death of a 17-year-old Virginia high school senior and a 12-year-old New York City middle school student this month. At least seven students on New York's Long Island were recently diagnosed with MRSA, as were 10 members of an athletic team at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. However, a government report has estimated it may sicken more than 90,000 Americans each year.

Preventing staph Antibiotic-resistant staph infections, usually involving the skin, are showing up more often among healthy people. Here are some prevention tips: — Wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and water. — Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a bandage until healed. — Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or material contaminated by wounds. — Do not share items such as razors, soap, ointments and balms, towels or wash cloths, clothing or uniforms. — If participating in contact sports, cover cuts, scrapes and other wounds with a bandage. — Shower with soap immediately after each practice or game. Wipe down all nonwashable equipment (mats, head protectors, gymnastics equipment, etc.) with alcohol or antibiotic solution after each person uses it. — If caring for someone with an infection at home, wash hands with soap after each physical contact and before going outside. Only use towels for drying hands once. Change and launder linens frequently, right away if they are soiled. — When contact with body fluids is expected, wear disposable gloves and wash hands after removing them. — See a physician promptly if you have a suspicious skin sore or boil. Sources: Associated Press, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physician interviews.

Two weeks ago, students staged a sit-in at the lunch room of Pike Central High School in effort to get school officials to clean the school as protection against the bacteria.

Most abandoned the sit-in after Principal David Rowe threatened them with a three-day suspension, but 33 stayed and were given the choice of one day of in-school suspension or two days out-of-school suspension. Three chose out-of-school suspension.

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On the Net:

CDC staph information: http://tinyurl.com/neabx

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