Brooklyn student dies from staph 'superbug'
A Brooklyn child has died from the deadly strain of staph infection that could kill thousands of people nationwide this year.
The Canarsie 7th grader, who has not been named by authorities, died from an antibiotic-resistant form of the infection that the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention fears is on the brink of becoming an epidemic.
The city¹s health department said that the student had not attended school at IS 211 for several weeks, and that it, "has no reason to believe that other children or school employees are at an increased risk." A report released earlier this month estimated that 19,000 people would be killed by the new strain of the infection this year. The disease infects open wounds and penetrates the bloodstream, leading to fatal consequences.
The new strain, called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or M-R-S-A has been found to be resistant to common antibiotics. Children and hospital patients are particularly at risk.
Six high school students on Long Island took ill from staph infection earlier this week, and last week Iona College reported 10 cases of the infection.
The looming public health crisis prompted lawmakers in Albany to get involved, with Assemb. Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) calling on the state to place signs in all school bathrooms reminding students to wash their hands.
Health experts say the disease can be largely prevented through proper hygiene.
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