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Westford Academy warns parents of MRSA, Staph Infections

WESTFORD, Mass. — School officials at Westford Academy are warning parents about several cases of MRSA and Staph infections in students.

The exact number of students with the infections isn’t clear, but all across the school and especially in the physical education area measures are being taken to prevent the spread.

“The most common infection it will cause is a skin and soft tissue type of infection. It can go to different places in your body, for example your lungs and cause pneumonia,” Mass General Hospital’s Erica Shenoy, MD  said.

Locker rooms, gym mats, and equipment are all being disinfected. In addition, coaches are reviewing the symptoms with students and discussing ways to prevent the infections.

“Any sport that has lots of physical contact gives you opportunities for skin to skin contact. It's also activities where you could have minor cuts or abrasions, and that's where the MRSA bacteria can then get inside and cause the infection,” Shenoy said.