TRAVERSE CITY -- The Traverse City Area Public School District is taking steps to prevent a health concern from spreading.
TCAPS was recently informed of two unlinked cases of the MRSA infection at West Senior High. This is not considered by the Grand Traverse County Health Department as an outbreak, but school leaders are taking steps to follow public health recommendations to keep the infection from spreading.
Staphylococcal or "staph" germs are a common cause of skin and other infections.
MRSA is a kind of staph infection that is resistant to treatment with certain antibiotics, but can usually be treated. MRSA is usually transmitted by skin-to-skin contact or by contact with shared items that have come in contact with someone else's infection.
Questions regarding health procedures can be directed to the School Nurse at 231-933-7524.
Traverse City Area Public Schools, in collaboration with the Grand Traverse County Health Department, follows the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for prevention of the transmission of these infections. More information can be found on the CDC's website.
The guidelines include hand washing, surface cleaning and disinfecting to provide a safe, supportive learning environment.
In the past two days, we have disinfected the boys locker rooms and weight room. The following suggestions can help prevent the spread of MRSA and other infections:
Personal Hygiene
· Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before handling food and after using the bathroom.
· Shower daily and after any athletic training or event.
· Do not share personal items.
· Use clothing or towels, as a barrier between shared surfaces, like exercise equipment.
· Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or shirtsleeve when sneezing or coughing.
Wound Care
· Cover skin trauma, such as abrasions or cuts, with a clean dry bandage until the wound is healed.
· Avoid touching other person's wounds or soiled bandages.
· Watch for signs of an infection. See a healthcare provider if the wound becomes warm, swollen, red and painful or starts draining pus.
· If wound drainage cannot be fully contained under a bandage avoid close contact with other people and remain home until wound begins the healing process.
Antibiotics
· Use antibiotics only as directed by your healthcare provider.
· Don't take antibiotics for viral infections like a cold.
· Don't share or save antibiotics for later use.
Laundry and Cleaning
· Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch or soiled surfaces such as phones, doorknobs and shared equipment using a cleaning product formulated to disinfect surfaces.
· Wash clothes and linens with detergent in the hottest suitable water temperature and dry in the dryer at the highest temperature that is safe for the fabric.
