Shawnee Middle School student diagnosed with staph infection Easton Area School District officials outline the precautions being taken. Thursday, November 08, 2007 • By COLIN MCEVOY • The Express-Times FORKS TWP. | A Shawnee Middle School student was diagnosed with a staph infection this week, the second confirmed case for the Easton Area School District within a month. A parent discovered a wound on the eighth-grade student at home and consulted a physician who diagnosed the case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The student has been treated and will not return to school until he presents no health risks to fellow students, according to Guy Greenfield, assistant superintendent for pupil services. It's impossible to say whether the student had the infection while at school, Greenfield said. "This is not going to be the last time we see this," he said. "It seems to be continuing. We try to be as proactive as possible, but the reality is that infectious diseases are out there and you do have to be cautious." A student at Paxinosa Elementary School, also in Forks Township, was diagnosed two weeks ago with the contagious infection suspected of killing a Virginia high school student in September. A letter informing parents about the infection was sent home with students Wednesday. Officials did not disclose the name or gender of the student. Greenfield said information provided to parents at that time as well as media reports in The Express-Times have made parents more aware of the infection and how best to treat and prevent it. "I think the public now knows what to look for," he said. "This is an example of a parent who did the right thing." A student at Phillipsburg Middle School and a student in Readington Middle School were also diagnosed with staph infections this week. The MRSA infection, which is rarely fatal, is passed through skin contact, but it needs a point of entry such as an open wound. Mild cases look like pimples or boils and can be red and swollen. The Easton district is thoroughly cleaning Shawnee and all elementary schools, focusing particularly on areas often touched by students, including doorknobs, windows, desktops, gym mats and paper towel dispensers. Greenfield said 1,200 bottles of hand sanitizer have been distributed to all elementary school classrooms and teachers will instruct students on correct hand-washing techniques and other such preventive measures. He stressed students and parents also need to know the importance of personal hygiene. "Think about this: How many door handles do you touch every day?" he asked. "As far as custodian care, you can only do so much. The other piece of this is people have to take personal responsibility to make sure their hands are clean more often as well." Shawnee Middle School Principal Stephen Furst and Deputy Principal Michael McCauley were not available for comment. Reporter Colin McEvoy can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at cmcevoy@express-times.com. © 2007 The Express-Times. Used by NJ.com with permission.