School District On Alert After Student Diagnosed With MRSA

The Pine-Richland School District said it will take any preventative measures necessary after a student was diagnosed with MRSA.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a skin infection that starts as small red bumps.

The Allegheny County Health Department said it’s unlikely the disease will spread to anyone else in the school.

“It really requires direct contact with the infected area where you have the skin infection,” said Guillermo Cole, of the health department. “In most cases, that’s not going to occur in normal school activities.”

The school district notified parents earlier this week.

Officials said the student will return to school once permission is given from doctors.