Staph infection was MRSA case

A student case of staph infection at Widmyer Elementary in September has been confirmed as the more serious strain known as Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

County school officials looked into the case earlier this month and were given the diagnosis by the child's doctor. An earlier report in The Morgan Messenger quoted school health officials saying the infection was not MRSA.

Schools officials said they consider the incident an isolated case that presented no danger to the school population. Daily cleaning and disinfection of school facilities is already the practice of custodial staff, officials said.

In the event of future MRSA cases in county schools, officials said they would inform parents if the antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection were likely to impact other students.

MRSA attracted national attention early this fall because of the deaths of at least two

students who tested positive for the strain of staphylococcus.

Public health and school

officials agree that the best way to prevent exposure to the skin infection is for children and adults to wash their hands

thoroughly and often. Student athletes, who are especially prone to exposure, are encouraged not to share equipment and personal items like towels and razors.