By CHRIS LEONARD

Staff Writer

W. HOLMES DISTRICT -- Following two encounters in September with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, in the West Holmes Local Schools District, the Holmes County Health Department confirmed a third case for the district Thursday.

"As of about 15 minutes ago, I confirmed it as a MRSA and I notified the school," Vaughn Anderson, an epidemiologist for the Holmes County Health Department, said at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. "This is the third positive for MRSA in that age group but it was the second positive for the same person."

Wednesday, before the confirmed case, West Holmes Local Schools District Superintendent Joe Parish said the high school student -- who was not a student athlete -- was admitted to Pomerene Hospital Tuesday.

Vaughn said the high school student was not at school Tuesday and Wednesday but returned to school Thursday after receiving treatment.

Parish and Tom Eastep, director of nursing services, could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

MRSA cases also have been reported in the East Holmes, Hillsdale and Triway school districts in recent weeks.

Holmes County Health Commissioner D.J. McFadden said certain types of staph infections can reoccur, so he does not see this as unusual. He cited impetigo, a skin infection found in children caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus aureus, as a common reoccurrence.

Anderson debunked the "super bug" theory MRSA has garnered in recent months, saying it is not resistant to all antibiotics.

"It's resistant to one type of antibiotic. It's treatable with other kinds of antibiotics. A lot of time antibiotic treatment is not necessary. All physicians need to do is drain it and keep it covered. That's what a lot of doctors do."

In a letter sent out to parents Thursday, school administrators notified them of the steps the district is taking to prevent the spread of MRSA -- encouraging proper hygiene and cleaning classrooms and athletic areas -- following the last two cases the district had in September.

"After we became aware that we had positive cases of staph among our athletes, we became proactive and took precautionary actions to decrease the risk of the spread of staph, as well as other microorganisms: pseudomonas, streptococcal, HIV and hepatitis," according to the letter signed by Parish and Eastep.

According to the letter, desks, workstations, weight rooms and locker rooms are being cleaned with Quat-Stat, a disinfectant, on a daily basis to prevent any outbreaks.

"We will be furthering our efforts by including annual staff training specifically aimed at recognition of staphylococcal infections and how to prevent transmission of this bacterium," the letter read. "They will be instructed to have students cover all open cuts, scratches and wounds while at school and during after-school activities. This training will be in addition to their required annual blood borne pathogens training."

Reporter Chris Leonard can be reached at (330) 674-1811 or e-mail cleonard@the-daily-record.com.