Update

[ibe4warriors]

Virginia Department of Health confirms 2 cases of staph in Wise County, says infections have not hit "outbreak" status
Published 09/10/2007 By RAIN SMITH

A spokesman with the Virginia Department of Health says previous reports of a staph "outbreak" in Wise County are incorrect, and that it wasn't until this morning that two cases of infections were confirmed by health officials.

The VDH does not designate occurrences of staph as an outbreak until there are at least three confirmed cases. However, both of those verified in Wise are the most serious strand of the bacteria, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, which is resistant to traditional antibiotics.

"We do know that the two cases came up at the same place and roughly the same time, but we do not know if they are the same bug," said VDH public information officer Robert Parker.

Parker says there are at least three different strains of staph that can cause MRSA. MRSA is not a separate germ, but refers to differences in behavior as its more resistance to traditional antibiotics.

On Friday the Kingsport Times-News quoted Appalachia High School principal Buzz Akridge as saying one player had been diagnosed with staph at that time. It was reported on Saturday that other Appalachia players were receiving treatment and observation in the "staph outbreak."

"We have two cases confirmed as of this morning, but by VDH's definition we are still not referring to it as an outbreak," said public information officer Robert Parker. "There is a definition we go by, and it's different for different diseases. But in this case three or more cases from the same exposure, we would consider that to be an outbreak."

"There is still information we expect to receive today that may change those numbers. If we get three or more we would characterize it as an outbreak by VDH's definition. But at this point we want folks to understand we're not calling it that."

The Wise County Health Department began receiving reports of suspected staph infections Friday morning, and Appalachia postponed their football game scheduled against Clintwood for that night. While school officials say there has been at least one occurrence of staph among players on the team, Parker would only say that Monday's two confirmed cases were within the Lenowisco Health District.

"We cannot be more specific than that at this point due to privacy reasons," Parker said.

Parker stressed the VDH does not believe there is a risk to public health due to the confirmed cases of staph, adding, "We're still working with authorities to identify the people that may be at risk."

"Good personal hygiene is the key to this; as it is with so many bugs that's the best way to prevent it," Parker said. "Cleaning your hands, cleaning surfaces, keeping cuts and scrapes clean and covered and avoid sharing towels, razors or even sports equipment, because (staph germs) are common in that type of environment."

[NotSoSilentBob]

I foresee a big bonfire at the Dawg House.