Official doubts staph came from school Superintendent says equipment cleaned daily. No word yet on whether infected students are athletes. Wednesday, August 16, 2006 • By DANIEL HAUSMANN • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | School officials plan to sit down with athletes and coaches to discuss the dangers of staph infections. Three high school students came down with the antibiotic-resistant methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, a skin disease more commonly known as MRSA. Superintendent Gordon Pethick said officials are being proactive with athletic equipment, a breeding ground for infection. "Our concern is making sure the equipment is clean," Pethick said. Pethick reiterated the belief that the infection was not contracted by the students in school. Pethick said the school has not been inspected. "We have a regular cleaning process," Pethick said. "Everything is cleaned with a disinfectant every day." Pethick called the students "acquaintances" but said he had no other information about them, including if they were athletes. The school contacted the Warren County Health Department for consultation on how to deal with MRSA. Health Educator Risk Communicator Sheila Risley said schools are advised to have disinfectant bottles on hand in gyms, weight rooms and locker rooms. Risley said her department has advice for physicians as well. "We're teaching doctors not to prescribe antibiotics unless absolutely necessary," Risley said. Staph infections have the ability to grow resistant to antibiotics, and MRSA has become difficult to treat. Risley said MRSA has become a concern for health officials. "It was found primarily in hospital settings but it's more prevalent in the community," Risley said. Risley said the most common cases occur in schools, prisons and day care centers. She said there is a common thread for all three. "You have groups of people sharing personal items," Risley said. "Hot tubs are bad spots." Risley said the bacteria can live for a while, particularly in wet areas, making it difficult to avoid. She said though districts are not required to call, she does get calls from time to time for information on handling the disease. Risley said bacteria can be spread in a few hours or up to a day. She said parents should watch their children for any kind of marks or swelling on the skin. Reporter Daniel Hausmann can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at dhausmann@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used with permission.