WEST MONROE, La. -- Damp carpet and humidity in the field house
has contributed to recent staph infections at West Ouachita High
School, officials say.
The staph outbreak is under control, at least for now, Dabo
Graves, Ouachita Parish School System's energy manager, told board
members Tuesday. However, to prevent further problems, officials
need to address the underlying problem: water seeping up through
the field house floors.
It's not clear why that's happening; some believe the school may
sit on a natural spring.
But the water is dampening carpet in the dressing rooms and
causing mold; add in the steam from showers and conditions are
ripe for the staph virus.
Graves said there have been about 20 cases of the virus, which he
says is high. And some parents are concerned.
But Superintendent Bob Webber said the school has been proactive
and maintains that the situation this year isn't that much
different from past years.
Graves said the school is using the same cleaning chemical used by
hospitals; West Monroe High used it for a similar outbreak earlier
this year.
"We have it under control at West Monroe," Graves said. "We have
it at a standstill at West Ouachita, but the mold is still a
problem."
The moisture has caused at least one other problem: Principal
Mickey Merritt says it has damaged 160 sets of football pads that
will cost about $100 each to replace.
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Information from: The News-Star,
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