Fear of deadly "superbug" spreading throughout state

There's no question that the 17-year-old Virginia student's death has created a national sense of alarm that the so-called "superbug" presents an immediate public health threat to public school students. A Kentucky school district shut down all 23 of its schools for extensive disinfecting because of one confirmed case of the infection. More than 20 high students in a Hinton, W.Va. walked out of class for two days after several cases of the infection were confirmed at their school.

While there have been several recent confirmed MRSA cases in Texas schools, including in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Tarrant and Nueces counties, there have been no school district shutdowns or widespread alarm in the state, said Dr. Marilyn Felkner, an epidemiologist with DSHS.

In fact, DSHS has known that MRSA has been in the state's public schools since the 2003-2004 school year when several cases were confirmed and traced back to school athletic facilities, Felkner said.

"In a sense, it has always been a threat, but can be treated and contained by following some very common sense rules," Felkner said. "There is also a lot confusion between community-associated staph and the hospital-associated staph. They are not the same at all. The staph seen is schools does respond to some antibiotics and is very treatable. The hospital staph is broadly resistant to antibiotics and is difficult to treat."

To help schools, parents and other concerned citizens better understand and deal with MRSA, DSHS recently issued new guidelines for preventing its spread in common locations such as high school athletic departments, child-care centers, college dorms and gyms. The primary recommendation is regular hand-washing with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. For the recommendations, click here.