Advisory Asks Schools to Be on Lookout for Bug

Oct 26, 06:36 AM

Current Headlines: By Joie Tyrrell, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.

Oct. 26--As a handful of additional cases of a antibiotic-resistant bacterial strain were reported yesterday in Long Island schools, the state Health Department asked all schools statewide to be on the lookout for the infection.

The statewide health advisory was distributed before the city Health Department said yesterday that MRSA was the "probable cause" of a Brooklyn intermediate school student's death.

State health officials referred calls about the death to the New York City Department of Health, but maintained that generally the infection can be treated easily and severe cases are rare. Still, officials said they want to stop the spread of MRSA.

"Our goal is to reduce the prevalence of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the community and to quickly identify and properly treat the infections," said State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines. "The medical community should be on the alert to even minor infections that could be caused by MRSA."

Health officials cautioned against panic, noting that most MRSA cases are preventable. Schools should report MRSA outbreaks to their local health department, Daines said.

Dr. Bruce Hirsch, an infectious disease physician at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, said fatalities from MRSA infections are unusual.

"The worst cases of MRSA can be very, very bad," Hirsch said. "They are rare compared to other types of health risks and health problems."

Most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils that often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of pus, with or without antibiotics.

Such infections became an issue of interest this month after a high school senior in southern Virginia died from MRSA.

Meanwhile, additional cases were reported yesterday at Roosevelt High School and in the Glen Cove school district.

But county officials in both Nassau and Suffolk also cautioned that there is not a major health crisis at hand.

"The vast majority of staphylococcal infections, including those resistant to some antibiotics, like MRSA, resolve on their own or will respond to simple and appropriate treatments," said Dr. Abby Greenberg, Nassau County's acting commissioner of health.

There have been no reported incidents of severe infections in schools on Long Island.

Previous reports of MRSA infections included two students in the Southampton school district; two students in the Longwood district; and another student in Freeport, school officials said.

They joined two other students in the Baldwin and Sachem districts, whose infections also were reported this month.

How to keep the bug in check

Intact, healthy skin provides a natural barrier against infection, including MRSA.

Experts say infections can be easily avoided in schools, and even hospitals, when common-sense rules are part of the daily routine.

Dr. Steven J. Walerstein, medical director of Nassau University Medical Center, notes that cuts, abrasions or other irritated areas can contribute to skin infections because bacteria find a vulnerable point of entry. Most MRSA infections outside of hospitals are of the skin.

Walerstein offered these tips to avoid infection:

Keep things clean. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects and shared areas that may become contaminated with saliva, sweat or wound drainage. Wipe surfaces with a commercial disinfectant or diluted bleach (1 tablespoon of bleach in 1 quart of water) and allow to air dry.

Practice good personal hygiene, including showering thoroughly each day and as soon as possible after physical activity. Make sure to use a clean, dry towel.

Wash dirty clothes after physical activities.

Do not share personal care items such as razors, towels, bar soap, shaving cream or water bottles.

Do not share any topical preparations such as ointments, lotions, deodorants or antibiotic creams.

Do not shave body hair for wound-care reasons because shaving can create micro-abrasions that allow bacteria to enter. -- DELTHIA RICKS

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