Humidity, wet carpet at field house raise staph, mold concerns

[Guest guest]

Humidity, wet carpet at field house raise staph, mold concerns

KATC - Lafayette,LA*

http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7487475

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.