DEMAREST — A member of the Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest wrestling team is the first confirmed case of MRSA, Superintendent Jan Furman said last week.

Due to the suspicious rash on his skin, the student went to the sports trainer after practice Dec. 26 and because of the skin infection was told he could not practice until he saw a doctor, Furman said.

"The doctor took a culture and it was confirmed [to be MRSA]," she said, adding the junior underwent a treatment of antibiotics and did not have to be hospitalized. "The school physician will clear that student and he is not practicing."

A letter was sent home with all the athletes informing them of the case and advising them to see a doctor, Furman said.

"This is certainly something that’s going to be watched. He was treated and we believe that there’s been significant progress in the treatment," she said. Despite the fact that the student is not sick and has not missed school as a result of the infection, Furman said it is still "something to be concerned about."

However, tracking every student that has had contact with the wrestler is virtually impossible. The district is doing what it can to notify parents via the Web site and letters sent home. In addition, the usual protocol is being followed for disinfecting mats and exercise equipment.

MRSA is an antibiotic resistant bacterial "staph" infection, which, when it enters the bloodstream, can pose serious health risks to the elderly or those with compromised immune systems. In healthy adults, however, MRSA often results in minor skin problems, as was the case with the young athlete at Demarest.

MRSA generally starts as small red bumps resembling pimples, which can develop into deep abscesses. Ultimately, the bacteria may spread throughout the body with potentially fatal results.

Furman urges parents to contact their physician if they notice their child shows any symptoms.