Lebo Oficials Bleach Soccer Balls To Fight MRSA

Mt. Lebanon recreation officials this week warned parents and doused equipment with bleach after a young soccer player contracted a drug-resistant staph infection.

One member of the municipality's preschool-to-second grade soccer league was diagnosed with MRSA on Wednesday, and rec officials believed the best response to prevent it from spreading to teammates was to wash all soccer balls in a bleach solution after each game.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_592701.html

Disinfections Ineffective In MRSA Fight?

The elaborate disinfections schools are undertaking in the wake of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureas, or MRSA, infections are doing little to prevent the spread of the bug, say health officials. Ultimately, only successful research into the root causes of the epidemic will provide the answer to controlling it.

Lesley Stahl reports on the outbreak of the serious and sometimes deadly drug-resistant infection this Sunday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

"I am concerned that we have schools that are spending inordinate amounts of money trying to sterilize the school," says Allegheny (Pa.) County Director of Public Health Dr. Bruce Dixon. "As soon as the students and the faculty return, the school is no longer sterile," he tells Stahl.

Link: www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/08/60minutes/main3474157.shtml

MRSA Problems Focus of '60 Minutes'

Mt. Lebanon High School has been educating parents and students about Community Associated MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus since a student there was diagnosed with the infection earlier this fall. The school's efforts are now being recognized locally by the Allegheny County Health Department and nationally by the television newsmagazine 60 Minutes.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/11_07_ML_60_Minutes

MLHS Updates Families On MRSA Measures

Mt. Lebanon High School Principal Ronald P. Davis sent a letter Friday to parents and students, updating them on the Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) that has affected 11 student-athletes since September.

Tests conducted by the Allegheny County Health Department showed no presence of the bacteria on the football field turf or in the field house. Towels and disposable cups are available on the sidelines during the game as is a container for used towels. The equipment truck has been disinfected.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_534928.html

No MRSA Found At MLHS Stadium

Tests conducted by the Allegheny County Health Department have shown that there is no staph bacteria in the turf or the field house facilities at Mt. Lebanon High School stadium.

Health Department Spokesman Guillermo Cole said today that all 13 samples taken yesterday came back negative for any type of staph germs, including those that cause the drug resistant MRSA infections that have been confirmed in 10 students at Mt. Lebanon High School, including nine football players.

Mr. Cole said 13 samples were taken in all, with eight coming from the field and five from the indoor facilities, including the locker rooms, weight room and training room.

Link: www.postgazette.com/pg/07292/826788-100.stm

Link 2: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_533635.html

Link 3: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/10_24_ML_MRSA_outbreak_B

MLHS Athlete Has Drug-Resistant Staph

Mt. Lebanon High School is informing parents that a student has a confirmed case of drug-resistant staph. A letter about the situation, posted on the school district Web site, said the patient is an athlete but did not specify the sport or the gender.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07257/817441-55.stm

Link 2: www.kdka.com/topstories/local_story_256213907.html