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.
 
http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7487475
 
Information from: The News-Star, http://www.thenewsstar.com 
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