4 Westford students diagnosed with MRSA

WESTFORD, Mass. -- Four high school students in Westford were diagnosed with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain types of antibiotics.

The students who were diagnosed -- both male and female -- returned to school after getting a doctor’s note that cleared them to be back. A doctor’s officer first notified the school that the four students had contracted MRSA.

Westford Academy athletes have been warned to practice good hygiene after students were with MRSA.

 “Wash your hands,” said Betty Perrone, a mother. “That’s the only thing you can do.”

In a letter to parents, Westford Academy said they are taking this matter very seriously. The school disinfected lockers and sports equipment after the students were diagnosed.

“Stay away from the athletes, that’s what I’ve been hearing,” said Patty McInerney, a student. “The infection is getting spread a lot through the sports people.”

A letter from Everett V. Olsen Jr., Superintendent of Schools, said, “All coaches are reviewing with their athletes ways to recognize the signs and symptoms, as well as methods to prevent staph infections.”

Bacteria, which enters the body through broken skin, can lead to symptoms that include:

-- Rash

-- Swollen pimples

-- Boils

-- High fever

-- Headache

-- Pain and swelling around a wound

MRSA can be spread through skin contact and contaminated surfaces. Officials are urging people to keep washing their hands and keep infected wounds covered. Sanitation stations, which have been in place since the Swine Flu, are being used more and more.

“I really don’t know much about [MRSA], I really don’t know what it is,” said one student. “So, I don’t play a sport right now so I’m not very worried about it.”

That is considered a mistake, though, because no one is immune to MRSA.

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