Reported staphylococcus cases have risen to 28, resulting in four of the 12 Anne Arundel high schools being hit this year ? so far.
“High school students who do not practice good hygiene and have breaks in the skin are at a greater risk,” said Health Officer Frances Phillips, of the county?s Department of Health, at a news conference Tuesday in the Parham Building in Annapolis.
School system spokesman Bob Mosier said these schools have reported cases:
» Severna Park High School with 11, including two adults;
» Old Mill High School with seven;
» Chesapeake High School with six;
» Glen Burnie High School with four, including one adult.
Two weeks ago, Severna Park High had the first seven reported staph cases.
School officials could not confirm when the first cases originated.
Staph is a type of bacteria that may cause skin infections that look like pimples or boils, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It can spread from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a staph infection or having contact with items and surfaces that have staph on them, Phillips said.
Superintendent Kevin Maxwell said a key way to diminish the cases is the continued use of a hospital grade anti-bacterial/anti-microbial solution in all high schools throughout the locker rooms and other athletic areas.
“We are taking steps to make sure this is as small as we can keep it,” he said.
Phillips said staph infections can be treated with antibiotics.
But methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a form of staph resistant to some medications.
Of the Anne Arundel staph cases, only one case of MRSA was reported.
Maxwell and Phillips said the number of reported staph cases was a low percentage compared to the 22,854 high school students in the county.
STOP THE SPREAD
Keep staph infections from spreading by:
» Washing hands often or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
» Keeping cuts and scrapes clean and covering them with bandages
» Not touching other people?s cuts or bandages
» Not sharing personal items like towels or razors
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
