MRSA CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCHOOLS
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
- Is MRSA reportable?
- Single cases of MRSA are not reportable. However, if there is a cluster
(2 or more non-household cases) of MRSA within a school, the
Health Department should be contacted so it can determine if
an outbreak might be occurring.
- Should infected students/employees be excluded from school?
- School should not be closed and classes should not be canceled. People
who are infected are permitted to attend school/work as long as they
are compliant with infection control measures. Skin infections should
be kept clean and bandaged. Students who participate in contact sports
may be excluded from participating if they cannot keep their wound properly
bandaged.
If there are multiple confirmed cases of MRSA infections among
members of a particular sport, and the sport team shares common equipment,
that sports team may be closed down temporarily. These recommendations
should be made in consultation with the local health department.
- Should schools notify parents if a student has a MRSA infection?
- The N.J. Department of Health & Senior Services does not require parent
notification for isolated cases. However, if a school elects
to notify parents, it should do so in coordination with the local
Health Department.
- What can schools do to prevent MRSA infections?
- Provide students/parents with information about MRSA and preventive
behaviors.
- Encourage frequent hand washing by students and employees.
- Encourage proper personal hygiene among students and employees
such as showering after sports activities, wearing clean
clothing, etc.
- Discourage the sharing of personal items such as clothing,
towels, bar soap, sports equipment, etc.
- Ensure proper
environmental cleaning with EPA approved disinfectants.
- Encourage staff and students to keep any wounds bandaged and to
consult with their healthcare provider for evaluation of any suspicious
skin lesions.
- Should any special soap be used for hand washing?
- Any kind of soap is fine for hand washing. It does not have to be antibacterial.
Frequent hand washing is very important and the act of washing is more
important than the type of soap.
- Should special laundry detergent be used?
- There is no need for special laundry detergent. Washing clothing in
hot water with regular laundry detergent and drying in a hot air drier
will kill the bacteria.
- Should special disinfectants be used?
- There is no need for special disinfectants. Use an EPA approved product
and follow use instructions carefully.
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