The MRSA Outbreak Continues
By Greg L | 21 October 2007 | Prince William County | 24 Comments
The Manassas Journal-Messenger is reporting that additional cases of drug-resistant staph infections have been reported by the PWCPS:
The new student cases were confirmed at Benton Middle School, Lake Ridge Elementary and Vaughan Elementary schools. The employee case was reported at Freedom High School. The school district released the information about the new cases Friday evening.
This is in addition to cases reported at Forest Park, Battlefield and Gar-Field high schools. An employee at Westridge Elementary School also contracted MRSA.
The school system does seem to be doing a good job of keeping parents informed, although I’m not so sure that the precautionary measures they’ve been taking are sufficient to contain this outbreak. Getting better involvement from the CDC to help track down how this happened and getting all students and employees tested for MRSA might be the only real way to get this contained, if there’s a significant risk of this spreading further, which seems to be the case.
Prince William County Schools could use some additional help here, if they’re not getting it already. They’re not doing a bad job with this, but this is kind of outside of the experience they have. Dr. Walts is a good school superintendent, but he’s not an epidemiologist, and we need more than a solid public relations effort here.
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This stuff happens in hospitals where the staff still can’t be bothered to wash their hands. See Google for discussions involving nurses telling one another to avoid disclosing known infections to hospital administration. Hospitals, which are areas of higher risk for MRSA won’t even test their staff for MRSA colonization. Typhoid Mary anyone?
CDC says that in 2005 MRSA passed AIDS in number of deaths.
Will cotton gloves and N95 masks be the next fashion fad in school?
The paper’s OPINION today is on “Staph fears”.
I urge ALL to read this especially if you have children attending PWCPS!
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353175107&path=!opinion
Lafayette,
Here is another interesting article about Prince William County schools being the second largest in the state.
We have a lot of students enrolled someschools are at over 120% capacity.
There needs to be BETTER communication with regards to our schools.
In the article you posted above, it says that the school will be updating on their website, HOWEVER, not all citizens have access to a computer.
Here is the article about PWC second largest in the state.
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353192348&path=!news
The MJM & Potomac News need to work with the schools and help keep the public informed. They are our local paper. I am glad to see they are stepping up to the plate.
Here is the update page on the PWCS website
http://www.pwcs.edu/absolutenewsmanager/templates/?a=744&z=11
redawn,
Here’s some question I had from earlier in the week.
***********
Lafayette said on 18 Oct 2007 at 12:30 pm:
Why wasn’t a notice sent out on this staph infection from the PWCPS? Why didn’t they send out a public notice in the mail?
Why didn’t they place a statement in the local newspapers?
Why didn’t they place a on notice on Channel 18? Why hasn’t someone from the PWCPS or the School Board not answered the call from the MJM? Well, for once it looks like the MJM is the good guy for once, because at least they shed some light on the issue.
************
Well, it looks like twice in one week they’ve been spot on regarding the PWCPS.
You are very right not everyone has access to computer.However, everyone residing in the county does have a mail box!!
WE DESERVE AND SHOULD DEMAND FULL DISCLOSURE AND SWIFT ACTION ON SUCH SERIOUS ISSUES!!!!
Also, in the article it states that Battlefield High School is one that is over 120% capacity, you would think they would take extra caution as to who enrolls in our schools, a way to verify documents, etc.
We have a problem.
I found this in the police briefs of MJM:
Man, 22, charged with attending high school
A 22-year-old Woodbridge man was charged with fraudulently enrolling at Freedom High School, 15201 Neabsco Mills Road in Woodbridge, around 9 a.m. Thursday, said Officer Erika Hernandez, Prince William police spokeswoman
Gerson Gamaliel Flores Alfaro, of 14784 Tamarack Place, was charged with possession of marijuana on school property, forging a public document and having a false birth certificate, Hernandez said.
Police said a school resource officer was investigating an incident in which a student had drugs on school property, and found out that the student had fraudulently enrolled in school, Hernandez said.
Alfaro was held without bond and has a Dec. 19 court date.
- Elisa Glushefski
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=117
Sorry, my bad…I HAVE been confusing Battlefield and Freedom High School. Regardless, this is a issue that needs to be addressed.
When you want to address the School Board you must give them your information by noon the day of meeting, and then on top of that they want to know what your topic(s) are. Who do they think they are? The PWCBOS does NOT require either of these things. I guess the School Board wants to be prepared, so they are not caught off guard. The PWCBOS doesn’t have this “luxury”. What makes the Schools so special?
I think that they may require a “heads up” as they are dealing with with juveniles and have to be cautious as they broadcast live. If that is the case, I support it.
Here is the link to the requirements of speaking at the meetings
http://www.pwcs.edu/admin/schboard/
That’s a very good point, and I too would support that!!
Thanks for your well thought opinion.
I just can’t believe all of this is going on, and it’s been kept silent until this past week countywide. I’m glad Lucy’s finally leaving the schools, and don’t think she’s got a chance for the Clerk’s Office. I will post some of her comments from the debate the other night.
Good bye, LUCY!!!
I think part of the problem with the staph infections in schools is that kids get cuts from phys ed activities and then don’t clean the wounds properly. My wife has a freiend whose grandson died from such a staph infection at age 12. In addition, medical authorities have been slow to recognize the infections for what they are.
What mystifies me the most is that I have not yet heard the Democrats blame staph infections on President Bush yet.
Here are some interesting points from the comment feed back of this WTOP article:
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=106&sid=1269718&comments=true
” trust them
by Sheryl W. @ 5:40pm - Thu Oct 18th, 2007
I work at a hospital….this is NOT an urban legend….it is FACT. MANY people in the hospitals all around the US have MRSA. They are “isolation” patients when they leave there hospital room and come for procedures. It is real people, unfortunately, from us running to the doctor for antibiotics every time we sneeze or sniffle with a common cold. It is also in part due to the over use of “antibacterial” soaps, cleaners, etc, the bacteria develop a resistance to things that we use to be super clean. Hope you realize it is a real living bug that does not die easily…..
Reply
overuse of antibiotics is NOT the only reason
by Jim B. @ 7:39am - Fri Oct 19th, 2007
That is itself not only part of the answer it is the answer pushed by “big pharma” who hadn’t invested a dime in new antibiotics until recently (not for the last few decades) because they can’t make money (as much money) on drugs you take for a week or two than on the latest cholestorol drug!! PLEASE do NOT just blame the patient.
BUt, my friends, this is real, and it is something that needs to be followed very closely and it is effecting more and more people.
Reply
While I agree that it’s not the only reason…
by Leanne H. @ 10:12am - Fri Oct 19th, 2007
…it is the primary reason. Doctors have prescribed antibiotics for years for conditions which should have been left alone because they were most likely viral. In addition, patients would take the antibiotics for a few days, start to feel better and then decide not to take the rest. Finally, to compound the problem even further, patients would self prescribe the next time they got sick and finish off the antibiotic the doctor had given them the last time.
NO ONE knew that this pattern would allow bacteria to develop resistance to these antibiotics. The pharmaceutical companies didn’t invest money in newer antibiotics because everyone thought it wasn’t necessary. Science ( and experience) has proven this to be an incorrect assessment. Pharmaceutical companies (and scientists in academia) are investing money in the search for newer drugs, but these will take years to hit the drug pipeline. This end of the problem is being addressed, but the issue of doctors overprescribing and patients not taking all their medications continues.
So, while you do have a point, the primary reason this problem exists is because of our choices and misuse of medication”
I tried to post some interesting points on the comment feed back of the WTOP article:
http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=106&sid=1269718
(go to the comments)
Greg, Please correct, if my earlier post are being held up, so it will NOT triple post.
I am questioning if we should be using the antibacterial soap, cleaning products as I have been.
Is there a doctor in the house that can help out here?
The best way to prevent the spread of MRSA is good old hand-washing. Antibacterial soaps, etc. are no more effective than good soap and water. MRSA is resistant to antibiotics, let alone antibacterial soaps or solutions. Clean and cover wounds until they heal. Wash hands. Wash hands. Wash hands. That’s the message.
I have a child in PWCS. I received an automated message and an email regarding MRSA. Parents can also view the county website which will give additional information. I am a concerned parent and have honestly informed my 4th grader of MRSA and possible deadly consequences, and, steps she can take to minimize her exposure. So far I am not displeased with the information received from the school system, but I am monitoring their actions. As a member of the Freedom Aquatic Center I am very concerned about the steps they are taking. Anyone who participates in anything there should be very careful.
ogoon,
I’m not displeased with information received either, but I’m VERY concerned of the timeliness of it all. The article said the first case was reported 9/10/07. The delay, is unacceptable. The School Board have various media outlets, and some right at their finger tips.Did you see the MJM’s Opinion I posted above.
I’m concerned as to what’s happening in two city school systems too. My daughter was just in a track meet at Manassas Park last Monday.
We also, need to add Chinn Aquatic Center to the list, and other facilities with indoor pools,other gym, fitness club, etc. Please note mention Chinn, because it’s the only other indoor swimming facility I know of.
And this has what to do with illegal immigration?
Tanning beds and nail salons sound like good breeding grounds also.
Want to know what’s going on in your child’s school? Get involved. Join the PTA. Run for your school’s Advisory Council (every PWC School should have one). Volunteer in the classroom or for other activities going on at the school. Talk to your children about what they are hearing.
This applies for everything going on in our schools, not just MRSA.
As for MRSA, the CDC has a decent section on their site regarding MRSA in schools (http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/). The best defense is to teach your children good habits (like washing their hands regularly and taking care of cuts, scrapes, and abrasions).
Chief Running Joke
And this has what to do with illegal immigration?
Nothing, look at the title of this story.
All Saints Catholic School also reported a case this past Friday.
Wash your hands, everyone, and your children’s often. MRSA is not going away. We created it and we will create even worse with our mis-use of anti-biotics. I might mention that it is very common for illegal immigrants to bring antibiotics illegally in from their native countries annd self medicate, improperly medicating and not understand when it should and should not be used. Others (illegal importers) are making money off of illegal imports using illegals (and some legals) as prescription drug illegal importers. I personally know this because my wife’s illegal immigrant friends do this very often.
To all concerning MRSA Prevention:
WWW. Endetec.Com
I look forward to your thoughts.
Hope we can help.
Mark Garfield
owner
Endetec Services, Ltd.
Environment Decontamination Technology
emgarfield@insight.rr.com