May 15, 2009
Dear Community High
School District 94 Parents and
Staff:
We have received confirmation today, May 15, 2009, of a student
case of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) at Community
High School. The DuPage
County Health Department has been notified of this situation and a plan has
been put into place by our custodial staff to begin disinfecting the school
tonight. Some general information
regarding MRSA and guidelines for reducing the risk of infection can be found
below.
It is our commitment to
ensure and maintain a safe environment for students and staff at Community High School. If you have any further questions or
concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Jones, school nurse,
630.876.6245 or myself at 630.876.6300
Sincerely,
Moses Cheng
Principal
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MRSA is a bacterium
that is resistant to some antibiotics commonly used to treat infections. Good hygiene both at home and at school
can reduce the risk of infection.
We have provided below some guidelines to help reduce the risk of MRSA
infection
Practice Good Personal Hygiene
- Keep your hands clean
- Practice frequent hand washing with soap and
water
- Use an alcohol hand gel when soap and water
are not available
- Bathe/shower with soap each day
- Avoid sharing personal items (examples include towels, soap,
razors, deodorant, lip balms, clothing and uniforms)
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a clean, dry bandage
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds and bandages
- See health care provider about non-healing wounds
Additional Guidelines for Sports Participants
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with
clean, dry bandages
- Keep equipment clean
- Wash uniforms frequently
- Don’t store wet, dirty clothing in
lockers
- Bathe/shower with soap after every sports
practice or competition
- Athletes with draining
wounds or infections should not participate in practices or games until
the wound has stopped draining