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MRSA BRIGADOON ELEMENTARY November 9, 2007 Dear Parents: You may have heard or seen recent news coverage regarding MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and may be understandably concerned about your child's health. Health officials tell us that MRSA is essentially a staph infection that is resistant to most antibiotics. It has been in the news lately because of a new national report about the number of cases in the United States and reports of cases of the illness at schools. While this is a very real health concern, it is important to know that MRSA is a treatable infection, although not all antibiotics are effective against it. I want to make sure that you are aware of some great resources on the state Department of Health website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/Antibiotics/MRSA.htm. There you will find a Question and Answer section about MRSA in schools. There is also some general information in English and Spanish about what MRSA is, how it is spread, and steps people can take to prevent it.
Chris Odell |