LI schools tackle MRSA threat

Long Island schools are taking more stringent precautions and advising parents and students on the dangers of MRSA after Hauppauge wrestler Nick Mauriello Jr. contracted the potentially deadly bacterial infection last week.

Mauriello, who remained in the intensive care unit at Stony Brook Long Island Children's Hospital, competed during meets held in at least three schools in the days before falling ill: Kings Park High School, Wantagh High School and Sullivan Community College in upstate Loch Sheldrake.

The Wantagh school district Tuesday sent a letter to parents saying that no Wantagh student had reported any symptoms of MRSA. "Although the source of the bacteria has not yet been identified, we continue to remain vigilant regarding good hygiene and health practices for all our students and athletes," the letter said.

Wantagh wrestling had a case of MRSA in 2008 and another involving a skin infection related to herpes. in 2009.

In a statement, Wantagh Superintendent Lydia Begley said that "the unfortunate illness suffered by the student in another school district only serves as a potent reminder of our needs to be vigilant in this regard."

Kings Park did not return a phone call requesting comment.

Though it's uncertain where Mauriello got sick, or if it was wrestling related, Hauppauge High School has deployed a machine that Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss said emits a disinfectant fog to eliminate any infection. Sullivan-Kriss said the school has always been stringent with its hygiene practices, adding there is little school officials can do if the disease is transferred through skin-to-skin contact.

"Naturally, if you're playing a contact sport, it doesn't matter if it's Hauppauge or another school district," she said.

The state Department of Health said it is monitoring the situation. "But it's really not reportable to us unless there's a cluster" of outbreaks," said Peter Constantakes, a department spokesman.

The Nassau and Suffolk governing bodies of high school sports have guidelines that include disinfecting mats daily with mop heads used solely on wrestling mats, having athletes shower after practices and competitions with liquid soap; and wearing clean practice garments.

In both counties, coaches are required to attend workshops regarding mat cleanliness and personal hygiene. But, Ed Cinelli, executive director of Section XI, the Suffolk governing body, said, "it's up to the schools" to follow the recommendations.

There is no punishment for schools that don't adhere to the suggestions. Bob Panariello, the Section XI wrestling chairman, said most coaches are "doing their due diligence."

The mats used at this weekend's county tournaments, and the state tournament later this month, will be cleaned after each round.