Possible staph infection prompts closing of Youngstown school

YOUNGSTOWN — West Elementary School was closed today after a pupil became ill with a possible staph infection.

Superintendent Dr. Wendy Webb said that a mother called the school principal late in the school day Tuesday to alert the school that her fourth grade son was being treated for a possible staph infection.

The boy is doing well and test results expected Wednesday will determine if it is an actual staph infection or something else.

Webb decided to take a very cautious approach and opted to have the entire school cleaned as a precaution.

The custodial staff started the job and will work all night but won't be finished in time for classes tomorrow, hence the day off, Webb said

Classes are expected to resume on schedule Thursday.

There have been no problems reported in any of the other schools.

In recent weeks, a Struthers Elementary School pupil and a Niles McKinley High School football player have been identified as having the drug-resistant methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.