MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A father said he fears his son got an infection from a Brevard County school.
Billy Meyers said his 16-year-old son Noah started showing symptoms of MRSA last week. Over the weekend, they took him to a doctor who advised that Noah had contracted the highly contagious staph infection that's transferable through skin-to-skin contact.
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Meyers said he believes his son got the infection from football equipment at Merritt Island High School.
The school district has not confirmed if the school was the source of the infection, but an official said the school is looking into the case.
"We will be sending information to our parents regarding the steps we are taking, while providing resources regarding universal steps students can take to prevent the spread of contagious diseases," the district said in a statement.
Health officials in Brevard County said Thursday that because MRSA isn't reportable, it's touhg to say if Meyer's case originated at the high school.
"There's a kid out there in the community with MRSA, I can guarantee you that," said Barry Inman with the Brevard County Health Department.
"We have had outbreaks on football teams before, but usually it's minimal, just 2 to 5 cases at the most," said Inman.
The health department said proving the source of MRSA can be difficult.
"My son is in isolation. We can't even give him a hug. He's scared," said Meyers, who is a former paramedic. "If people don't realize how serious MRSA is, they need to."
Meyers said he suspects his son got it from his football helmet. Noah had just received the helmet from the school a week prior for spring practice.
"All I know is that the marks that are on my son's head, scalp, face, chin and neck. They are everywhere that the football helmet hit him," Meyers said.
Merritt Island High School's football team had a game Wednesday night that Noah did not attend. His dad said he is now worried for others.
The Brevard County School District representative Michelle Irwin told Local 6 that the helmets were just recently reconditioned and sanitized. They are also not shared. They are looking into the case, however, Irwin said the environmental services department could be on site as early as Thursday to check on conditions. The county's maintenance team will also check to make sure cleaning protocols are up to par, especially in the locker rooms.
"I just want to make sure (Noah) is cured and is better, and I want to make sure that nobody else gets this. This is very serious and these are young kids who want to go to college, want to play sports, want to move on with other things in their lives," Meyers said.