CCR-1 District Fighting Staph Outbreak

School Nurses and administrators have been monitoring the occurrence of staph infections in our school buildings recently.

We have changed cleaning routines in areas that have been most affected.

We will continue to work with our local health care providers and health department closely as well.  The below is information from the MO Department of Health and Senior Services Communicable Disease Handbook about staph.

Staph Infection – Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus or staph) bacteria are the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections.

Symptoms: infected areas that are red and warm with our without pus. Examples are boils, impetigo, wound infections, and infections of hair follicles.

Sometimes the staph bacteria can get into the bloodstream and other body sites and cause severe illness.

If your child is infected, the time it will take for symptoms to start will vary by type of infection.

Spread: by touching contaminated hands, skin drainage, pus, or secretions from the nose.

Contagious Period: as long as the infection or colonization is present.

A child who has draining infections has more bacteria and is more contagious than a child who is only colonized.

Call your Healthcare Provider: if anyone in your home has symptoms. Your doctor will decide what treatment is needed.

If you think your child has a Staph Infection: Tell your health care provider and call the school.

Does your child need to stay home: Yes, if draining sores cannot be completely covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage.     No, if child is only colonized.

Prevention: Regular and thorough handwashing! Keep wounds, clean, dry and covered with bandage.

Avoid sharing personal items such as washcloths, bar soap, combs, razors or clothing.

Keep contaminated laundry separate from other laundry.

Wash clothes, bed sheets, and blankets in hot water with detergent and dry in hot dryer.

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces or objects. Use a disinfectant that kills Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

For more information contact your school nurse or the Health Department (727-2356).

The district is also aware of rumors that the staph bacteria is in the activity field surface.

“I doubt it is possible as the heat from the sun should kill it.  I will see if it is possible,” said CCR-1 Superintendent Dr. Ritchie Kracht.

“I believe we have four cases. HS and MS students.  Most likely (it came from the) locker room or weight room.  We have stepped up cleaning in those areas along with the rest of the schools,” Kracht added.