October 19,
2007
Dear
Parent/Guardian:
This letter is intended to raise
your awareness about MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus
Aureus) and offer information on prevention practices. You have
probably heard in the news recently information about MRSA and
the reported cases in our area. What you may not know is that
this is not something new. This bacteria is present in the
environment and has been for years. Furthermore, with effective
precautionary measures, MRSA infections can often be prevented.
While we do not currently have any
known cases in our district, we have implemented preventative
measures in the school buildings to try to eliminate the spread
of bacteria and viruses in addition to our routine cleaning
practices. We continue to reinforce good hygiene practices with
our students and staff. The most important measure that can be
used for prevention of this infection is effective hand
washing. This requires approximately 20 seconds and the liberal
use of soap, water and vigorous friction. Use of an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used if soap and water are
not available. Good hand washing is also an important tool in
the prevention and spread of Influenza and other viral
infections.
Please review
good hand washing techniques with your children. Broken skin,
cuts or abrasions, should be washed well with soap and water,
and then covered with a bandage.
MRSA commonly
causes skin infections that look like a pimple or boil and can
be red, swollen, and painful or have pus or other drainage. If
your child displays any of these symptoms or if you have any
concerns about your child’s health, please contact your primary
care provider.
We want to assure you that we are
doing all that is necessary to provide a safe and healthy school
environment for our students and staff. Attached is a New York
State Department of Health fact sheet on MRSA. Please call your
child’s school health office if you have any questions or
concerns.
Vicki
Wright Dr. Philip T. Drew MD
Superintendent of Schools
School Physician
