Cherry Hill School District would like to provide parents and students with the following information:
Safety precautions to guard against MRSA skin infections… Like many school districts across the country, Cherry Hill is dealing with isolated cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). An estimated 30-50% of the population are carriers of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. MRSA can be easily spread through direct contact or through indirect contact (such as touching a towel that was used by a person with MRSA). Handwashing is a key factor in reducing the risk.
Click for additional safety precautions to guard against the spread of antibiotic-resistant staph infections.Cherry Hill’s Proactive ApproachAll school nurses have been apprised of the signs and symptoms of the infection. They are communicating with the custodians assigned to each building to ensure that “high-risk” areas are targeted and that the overall cleanliness of the buildings is maintained.
Gym areas, locker rooms, weight rooms, wrestling rooms, aerobic rooms, athletic areas, all-purpose rooms, and bathrooms are targeted as “high risk areas” with appropriate cleaning techniques in place.
Athletic trainers are knowledgeable in both recognition and referral of students with any skin infection, and coaches have been instructed by the trainers in such areas.
Education is the key, as well as hand washing and good hygiene. Basic principles of “No Sharing” of personal objects will greatly reduce the spread of this and any infection.
Nurses and athletic trainers are the key people in each building and all questions and concerns should be directed to them.
We must all work together to promote health and wellness in our schools. See a physician immediately upon observing any new skin lesion; please notify the school nurse and, if applicable, the athletic trainer so that we can continue to be proactive in preventing the spread of the infection.