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Staph Infections Found at Del. State Police Training Academy

01/15/2007

DOVER- Staph infections have caused the Delaware State Police Training Academy to take drastic measures. 

According to officials, the academy, which just completed the 20th week of a 22-week police basic training program, has discovered two incidents where police recruits have been diagnosed with MRSA- methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.

MRSA, a type of staph infection, is usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people. 

On Jan. 2, following the holiday break, the academy staff was notified of a recruit having MRSA. Immediately, the staff began taking steps to make sure all 38 police recruits were in a healthy and safe environment. At this time, the academy staff has two confirmed cases of MRSA, which have been treated and are no longer contagious. Three others are being treated as a precautionary method; however they have not been diagnosed with MRSA.

Officials say that due to the fact that the academy conducts residential training classes, the staff elected to have the recruits move to commuter status for the remaining three weeks of their training.

The Department of Public Health was contacted for its direction regarding this incident. The DPH advised learned advised the following:

• The recruit class did not reside at the academy once a recruit contracted MRSA. The DPH  sent information for the recruits regarding MRSA and came to the academy to talk with the recruits about MRSA.
• Facility maintenance was notified in reference to cleaning the facility. A professional cleaning company was to clean the academy over the weekend and Monday.
• The DPH also advised that while MRSA is a concern, many hospitals, schools, sports teams, etc. get this each year and the dangers to a healthy adult (such as recruits) is minimum. All the recruits were addressed by state police officials and advised that their safety in our environment is paramount; as well as their families' safety.

Officials say the academy will begin as normal on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The recruits will not be residing there overnight for the remaining two weeks of their training. The recruits were scheduled to commute for the final two weeks of training as standard training procedure.