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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

US : West Fork dealing with MRSA cases

Via Globe Gazette, excerpt :

" Public health officials believe seven cases of the staph infection MRSA have been found at West Fork High School.

One case of MRSA — that stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus — was confirmed by a physician.

Six other cases, first thought to be impetigo, are now believed to be MRSA, said Jenni Swartz, assistant administrator of Franklin County Department of Public Health.

Swartz said after speaking with Matt Hobson, a regional epidemiologist with the Iowa Department of Public Health, “we are going on the assumption” that all cases are MRSA. Since one case has been confirmed, it is more likely that all are MRSA, she said.

Ultimately, Swartz said, both MRSA and impetigo, another type of staph infection, are treated the same way, with antibiotics.

Symptoms of the bacterial infection include red, painful and swollen areas of the skin which can include boils or rash.

Football and volleyball athletes have shown signs of the skin infection, said West Fork Superintendent of Schools Darrin Strike. The first sign of an outbreak came about a week ago, he said."

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