Staph Infections - Updated November 5, 2007

CISD has NOT received news of any new confirmed cases of staph infections in more than a week. Thanks to our students, staff and parents for responding to this situation with increased efforts to follow the guidelines and procedures set forth by CISD and health officials. Please continue these increased efforts and special attention to hand washing, regular laundering of athletic and PE clothes and notification to CISD of any open wounds needing a covered bandage until further notice.

Updated October 24, 2007

CISD has received confirmation today of its second case of MRSA staph infection at a secondary school. In an effort to protect the confidentiality of student health information, CISD has not identified the secondary campuses where the more drug-resistant strains have been confirmed, but school officials are assuring parents that precautions are being taken to minimize the spread of staph. CISD is managing the MRSA situations on a case by case basis to reduce the risk of further infection.

To date, the district has no reported cases of even the common staph infection at our elementary or intermediate schools.

The Tarrant County Health Department confirms CISD is going above and beyond in responding to this situation. The maintenance and custodial staff is working diligently to clean and disinfect the restrooms, dressing rooms and locker rooms and have even extended this process to the classrooms. Parents are encouraged to discuss with their students preventative steps to reduce personal risk. Several links below provide helpful information.

Updated October 23, 2007
No new confirmed cases of staph infection have been reported to Carroll ISD this week. Superintendent David J. Faltys is sending a letter to all CISD parents in an effort to ensure effective communication about this issue. The letter will be sent home with K-6 students and mailed to the homes of all secondary students. School officials have been in contact with experts from the Tarrant County Health Department. They assure CISD that the district is going above and beyond what is normally expected and/or recommended by a public school system. Parents, students and staff are encouraged to continue following the guidelines of the Student Fact Sheet.

Superintendent's Letter - 10.23.07

Updated October 19, 2007
Carroll ISD continues to receive reports of a few active cases of staph infections at secondary campuses. Only one student has a confirmed case of the more drug-resistant MRSA strain of staph, but school officials are told that student is responding to treatment. CISD continues to monitor the situation daily in consultation with school administrators, nurses, trainers and parents in the healthcare profession. Confidentiality of personal student health information is a top priority. CISD is promoting the education and awareness of preventative measures to help stop the spread of staph.

Just a reminder that this is not a situation isolated to athletes and locker rooms. All students should do their part to help prevent the spread of the bacteria that causes staph. Carroll ISD has prepared a Student Fact Sheet to educate our Dragons about preventative measures that can help reduce individual risk.

Student Fact Sheet - Preventing Staph

In addition to educating the staff, students and parents, Carroll ISD is. . .

• Disinfecting locker rooms, dressing areas and rest rooms regularly.
• Asking students/athletes to keep cuts and lesions covered.
• Requesting parents/students report possible staph infections and/or confirmed cases to athletic trainers, nurses and principals.
• Fogging locker rooms weekly with an industrial fogger designed to kill staph.
• Requesting athletes/students empty PE/athletic lockers every Wednesday evening for a more thorough cleaning.
• Having all coaches meet with their athletes about washing their towels, socks, uniforms, pads, etc. regularly.
• Discouraging the sharing of clothing, equipment, towels, razors or soaps, etc.
• Providing Clorox wipes to coaches/pe teachers to wipe down weight rooms, etc.

Other helpful websites with information about staph:

Posted October 17, 2007
There have been numerous media reports about staphylococcus infections involving students locally and across the nation. This is actually a very common problem that school districts deal with annually. CISD has confirmed about a dozen cases since the start of the school year. The district's maintenance and custodial staff is diligent about thoroughly treating locker room areas where staph bacteria is most prevelant. The district's coaches, nurses and athletic trainers also educate students about preventative measures.

The link below provides more in-depth information on this topic.

Staph Infection Fact Sheet