Staph cases at high school being monitored
By SHANNON CRABTREE newsdesk@leader-news.com

The El Campo school district is closely monitoring a possible health concern after three student athletes developed infections.

Two high school athletes and one from the middle school have developed "possible" staph infections since the start of the school year.

Staph or Staphylococcus is a bacterial infection typically starting when a small cut becomes infected. The bacterial invasion can produce anything from a simple boil to a major infection if left untreated or spread from an antibiotic-resistant strain.

"We have two certified athletic trainers on staff who are very familiar with these types of infections, how to treat and prevent the infections, and when to advise the student athletes and their parents to seek medical attention," Superintendent Mark Pool said in an e-mail to the Leader-News Friday.

"The health and safety of our student athletes is their number one responsibility and they take it seriously," he added.

Staph is not unusual in Texas schools - especially in athletic departments where children involved in rough activities such as football are liable to suffer scrapes, small cuts and the like.

"Certainly (there is) reason for concern and extra precaution, but no reason for alarm," Pool said. "Our staff will continue to monitor the situation and take every precaution to prevent the infections from spreading further."

A student with suspected staph is sent to a doctor for antibiotics and culturing of the wound, El Campo High School Assistant Athletic Trainer Janiece Hernandez said.

"They are out of activity as long as the wound is oozing," she said. "If they have staph and an open wound, they are not allowed to have contact with anyone. They take their equipment and clothing home."

That includes laundry.

"Everything they use is separate," Hernandez said.

Standard locker room and field house practices work to protect students from the spread of infection.

Students are monitored for overall health, laundry washed and disinfected, all cuts are cleaned and treated, she said.

Victoria hospitals are estimating 20 people per day are being treated in their emergency rooms for staph-related infections, according to a Victoria Advocate report last week.

El Campo Memorial Hospital sees an average of 10 staph cases per month, according to RN Sherry Hardin, who added, "We are not seeing an increase."

Standard precautions to avoid the infection and its spread include "washing hands (and) you do not want to share personal items like towels, wash clothes, razors," Hardin said.

Wounds should be covered, she added, saying if any infection is suspected people are urged to go to a doctor.