MRSA Confirmed at a Wall Township School

A student at Wall Township's Central Elementary School has contracted the MRSA infection.

District officials confirm one case and say they're going above and beyond their normal cleaning and disinfecting routine, including assigning extra custodial staff.

Interim Schools Superintendent Stephanie Bilenker sent a letter to parents and staff Tuesday about the case of Methicilllin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aurius.

Bilenker said MRSA is more difficult to treat than other bacterial infections because it is resistant to many commonly-used antibiotics. All surfaces at the Central School are being scrubbed-down with anti-bacterial cleaner.

“Specific high-risk areas have been and will continue to be targeted for more thorough cleaning,” Bilenker said. “These include bathrooms, the nurses office and buses. I am confident these proactive measures will be a profound help in preventing further occurrences of MRSA in our district.”

About 25 to 30 percent of the population carries staphylococcus, and it is easily passed between people, but infection is rare unless there is a break in the skin, Bilenker said.