Lakeview High School Student Diagnosed With MRSA

A Lakeview High School student has been diagnosed, and has been treated for, the staph infection commonly known MRSA, according to a letter posted on the school's website by principal Brent Case.

According to the district, the student is a high school student but is also a teacher cadet at Greenwood Elementary. The case of MRSA was first reported Monday morning, and confirmed by medical personnel late Monday morning. Once the district confirmed the student was infected, Lakeview took "immediate action" by sending letters home at both schools and posted on the district website. 

A SchoolMessenger (recorded notice) went out to all families in both buildings Monday afternoon. 

The letter stated the most common form of transmission of the bacteria is through person to person touch, while the transmission or passing of the bacteria through contact with door handles, desktops or bathroom fixtures is not as common.

The district is sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces that come in contact with students or staff on a regular basis, the letter stated. All restroom environments are cleaned and sanitized at least every 24 hours, and when there is scheduled event, a specific local restroom may be cleaned and sanitized more often. 
 
About MRSA

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus bacterium, has been identified as a source of potential, serious illness, according to the letter. The staph bacteria has been found to be resistant to typical antibiotic treatment.

Lakeview's efforts

According to the letter, Lakeview has taken "a proactive stance and implemented additional disinfectant and sanitizing measures to make sure we are doing everything we can to prevent the spread of any bacteria or viral germs."

The district has used a hospital-grade disinfectant, Virex II 256, produced by JohnsonDiversey Industries, as the sanitizer/disinfectant.

This week, all surfaces that come in contact with students, staff, or parents will have been cleaned with this product and high traffic areas will be sanitized on a daily basis.

Lakeview recommends to parents that the best preventive activity is to make sure their child washes their hands with anti-bacterial soap or hand sanitizer on a regular basis.

For more information about MRSA, visit:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/mrsa/
http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/
http://www.macombcountymi.gov/publichealth/