N.B. elementary school reports case of MRSA
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - A case of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was confirmed at Judd Elementary School on Jan. 2.

According to Superintendent Brian Zychowski, he was notified last week about a case that was diagnosed during winter recess. He said the student, whose identity will be kept confidential, is receiving treatment and poses no risk to other children.

"I want to assure you that our teachers are encouraging students to practice effective hand-washing techniques and to wash their hands often. Custodians are doing their part to keep the schools clean and the bathrooms stocked with antibacterial soap. Together, we must continue to be vigilant in addressing this health concern," he said.

MRSA is a bacterial infection that has been around since the 1960s, according to Diana Whalen, the district's health services coordinator. The skin infections result in redness, warmth, swelling and tenderness, and will often look like a spider bite, a boil, an abscess or a turf burn. The infections are spread by skin-to-skin or direct contact with a wound, or by contact with contaminated surfaces such as sports equipment or personal hygiene items. MRSA is not spread through the air.

The school district has coordinated efforts with the North Brunswick Health Department, the Middlesex County Health Department and the Department of Education to keep residents informed of proper information. Suggestions to keep the infection at bay are to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer, to keep cuts and scrapes covered by a bandage until healed, to avoid contact with other people's wounds and to not share personal items such as towels or razors.