Published: September 21, 2006 11:56 am      

Staph infections prompt warning from county school system

CUMBERLAND - Two Allegany High School football players have been hospitalized and several other players have been under physicians' care after contracting staph infections, according to Superintendent of Schools Bill AuMiller.

"The first case was brought to my attention on Monday, Sept. 11," Allegany Principal Mike Calhoun said of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infection, which is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics.

"We have been in contact with the health department and local physicians - the players have been provided with literature about preventing skin infections, and we're waiting on further information from the health department," said Calhoun.

Between six and eight football players have contracted MRSA, said Calhoun, who was informed of the most recent case Wednesday. One of the players who was hospitalized has been released, according to Calhoun.

The Allegany County Board of Education will send letters this week to parents of all children in the school system, advising them of precautions that they should take.

"It's not something to panic about - it's not an epidemic - it's something people need to be made aware of and take the proper precautions," said AuMilller.

Allegany County Board of Education president Tom Striplin said that a public information campaign will be very beneficial because MRSA infections are becoming more common.

"This could impact other schools as well," said Striplin.

The football team locker room has been sanitized, and the coaches have instructed the players to take equipment home to be properly cleaned, said Calhoun.

"The situation was promptly identified by administrative staff at Allegany and the central office," said board vice president Jeff Metz.

MRSA cases are more prevalent than they have been in years past, according to Allegany County Health Officer Dr. Sue Raver.

"It's an increasing problem across the nation." said Raver.

There are two types of MRSA - community acquired and hospital acquired, said Raver. People can carry bacteria on their skin without being infected; infections occur when the bacteria enters opens wounds, said Raver.

Raver stressed the importance of frequent hand-washing and properly treating wounds as soon as they occur. She also advises people not to share items such as towels, soap, razors, lotions and water bottles.

MRSA can be contracted through person-to-person contact or person-to-object contact, according to Raver.

MRSA is especially common among athletes because many of them often have cuts and scrapes, said Striplin.

The duration of the infection depends upon how quickly treatment is sought, according to Striplin. MRSA infections are often treated by antibiotics administered through IVs, he said.

Jennifer Raley can be reached at jraley@times-news.com.