Officials: Student had strep, not MRSA
The odd piece of good news at a South Huntington primary school Wednesday was that a sick young child had strep throat, officials said. That was good news because the day before, school officials feared the child had the contagious, life-threatening bacterial disease MRSA.
School officials were at one time so concerned the child had contracted MRSA, they sent home a warning letter to parents of students at the child's school, Countrywood Primary Center.
Steve Bartholomew, a spokesman for the South Huntington school district, said a physician initially suspected MRSA "was a distinct possibility, but tests came back negative for MRSA. It was strep throat."
Strep throat is a bacterial throat infection that normally responds well to antibiotics, but MRSA is an infection that is resistant to antibiotic treatment.
The letter was sent home by Principal Karen Siegel to the parents of her students in kindergarten through second grade.
Parents of the K-2 grade students were advised about the suspected case, and told that the school district was taking steps to minimize the danger.
"Our custodians clean all areas regularly with disinfectant that is effective against MRSA," the letter said.
Bartholomew said Wednesday the danger has passed.
