Swampscott High student diagnosed with ‘Superbug’

SWAMPSCOTT – A student at Swampscott High School has a confirmed case of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).MRSA is an antibiotic resistant “Superbug” bacteria that multiplies very rapidly and can cause many different kinds of infection, ranging from simple skin infections to septicemia.Principal Larry Murphy said local health officials and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health were contacted immediately.”We have been told that this incident does not represent a cluster as it is only one reported case,” Murphy said. “The student has been treated by a physician who has reported it is non-contagious. As a precaution, we are notifying all families in the Swampscott High School community.”According to information provided by the Department of Public Health, Staph is commonly found on the skin or in the nose of healthy and sick people alike. At any time, 25 to 30 percent of the population is carrying a type of Staphylococcus bacteria, while about 1 percent of the population is carrying MRSA. Most people carry Staphylococcus on their skin without getting an infection, but if it gets into cuts or abrasions of the skin, it may cause skin infections. These infections usually appear as pimples, boils, or abscesses and may be mistaken for spider bites.According to the DPH, MRSA is most frequently spread by direct skin contact or with direct contact to wound drainage of someone who is carrying or infected with bacteria and it is not an airborne virus.According to the DPH, students with MRSA infection may require exclusion from the school setting when lesions are not able to be adequately covered with a dressing. However, if lesions can be covered by a dry dressing or clothing, students do not need to be excluded from school.Murphy said it is important to understand that MRSA is more frequently spread by direct skin contact or with direct contact to wound drainage of someone who is carrying or infected with bacteria. It is not an “airborne virus.”School officials said there is no evidence that the student contracted the disease at school, but the importance of good personal hygiene cannot be overemphasized. The DPH stresses the first line of prevention is proper hand washing with soap and water. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also recommended.This is not the first time a student at the school has been diagnosed with the disease. In November 2007, school officials were informed of a confirmed case of MRSA in a Swampscott High School student. Even though that case was not considered contagious, Malone said the high school was cleaned and sterilized.