Contagious skin infections scare district

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Rochester Community Schools Officials are on the defensive after three high school students and one kindergartener were diagnosed last week with contagious skin infections, according to C & G News.


One student from Hamlin Elementary was diagnosed with a staph infection, while three wrestlers from Rochester High School were found to have impetigo, a contagious skin infection with blisters and oozing sores, the story stated.


Rochester High Principal Wendy Zdeb said: "Like most bacterial skin infections, impetigo can be spread through contact. The best precaution is to take measures that reduce the spread of bacteria, including good hand washing, not sharing personal items and keeping wounds covered."


Extensive cleaning was conducted throughout the school, including classrooms, the office clinic and other high-touch areas, as a precautionary measure, the story noted.


The wrestlers might have contracted the infection during a meet in Lake Orion. A meet scheduled for February 11 at Rochester High was canceled while equipment, wrestling mats and the locker room were thoroughly cleaned, the story added.