For School & Daycare

Closing to Clean or Disinfect

In general, it is not necessary to close entire facilities to “disinfect” them when MRSA infections occur. Routine cleaning practices are enough in most situations. MRSA skin infections are transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact and by contact with surfaces that have come into contact with someone else’s infection. Spread can be prevented by simple measures such as hand hygiene and covering wounds.

Notifications

Usually, it is not be necessary to inform the entire school community about a single MRSA infection.

If a MRSA infection occurs in the school:

  • Most schools require that any communicable disease be reported to the student’s teacher or administration. Consult with your school about its policy.
  • The school healthcare provider should determine whether some or all students, parents, and staff should be notified.
  • If medical personnel are not available at the school, consult with the local public health authorities to guide this decision.
  • Repeat cases, spread to other students, or complex cases should be reported to the health department for consultation.
Excluding Students with MRSA Infections from School

Students with MRSA infections can attend school unless a healthcare provider tells them not to. But they should not attend school if:

  • There is wound drainage (“pus”) that cannot be covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage.
  • They cannot maintain good personal hygiene.
Advice for Teachers
  • If you observe a child with open draining wounds or infections, take them to the school nurse. If a nurse is not available, call the child’s guardian and tell them to seek medical attention.
  • Reinforce the need for hand hygiene by everyone as a part of general good health practice, particularly before eating, after touching potentially infected wounds or soiled bandages, and after using the bathroom.
Advice for School Health Personnel
  • Students with skin infections may need to be referred to a licensed health care provider for diagnosis and treatment. School health personnel should notify parents/guardians when possible skin infections are detected.
  • Use standard precautions (e.g., hand hygiene before and after contact, wearing gloves) when caring for broken skin (open wounds) or potential infections.
  • Use barriers such as gowns, masks, and eye protection if splashing or other contact with potentially infected body fluids is anticipated.