Post by Alumni on Jan 30, 2007 21:55:13 GMT -5
Alert to the MSHSL Wrestling Athletic Directors and Coaches
Home Page Photo The Minnesota High School wrestling community has been experiencing an outbreak of Herpes Gladiatorum, a skin infection due to Herpes Simplex type-1 virus. As of this date we are aware of 24 clinically-confirmed cases of Herpes Gladiatorum, involving the weight classes of 285, 215 and 189 lbs. The outbreak was first noted following a Team Tournament held in Rochester, MN, on December 29-30, 2006. Since that time 10 teams have reported wrestlers with skin lesions involving the face, head or neck. The Minnesota Department of Public Health and Dr. B.J. Anderson, MSHSL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee member and national and international skin condition expert, have been tracking the progress of the virus.
Wrestling Suspended State Wide
# To help control this outbreak and prevent further transmission during the up-coming State Tournament and qualifying Sectional tournaments, an immediate and mandatory 8 day shut down of all wrestling is recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health and ordered by the Minnesota State High School League. There shall be no competition or direct contact from Tuesday, January 30 through Tuesday, February 6. This includes all events scheduled for today.
# All wrestlers at all weight classes on all teams must follow this shut down.
# Conditioning and running may continue, but no competition or direct contact with other team mates is allowed.
# The coaching staff should perform skin checks each day and any suspicious lesion, especially in the 285, 215 and 189 lb weight classes should be referred to their healthcare provider for appropriate care including culture for Herpes Simplex virus.
# There shall be no competition or direct contact from Tuesday, January 30 through Tuesday, February 6.
# Competition and direct contact can begin again on Wednesday, February 7.
# The mandatory suspension applies only to programs sponsored by Minnesota State High School League member schools. Junior high, middle school, elementary and youth wrestling programs are not impacted. Any student 7-9 who is participating in Varsity practice or on your JB/B-Squad teams is also prohibited from competition and contact during this suspension period.
The MSHSL has imposed the eight day wrestling suspension with the hope of achieving these goals:
# To control existing outbreaks of the virus
# To assist in the immediate detection, diagnosis and treatment of new outbreaks of the virus
# To help prevent skin related disqualifications at the section or state tournaments.
Identifying the Virus
Lesions can also occur on the extremities or trunk. If lesions occur in or around the eye, medical evaluation should be sought immediately. Symptoms can occur prior to the rash including: sore throat, fever greater than 101°F, and swollen lymph nodes. The rash has groupings of 5-8 vesicles or blisters surrounded by a red base. The virus is spread via direct skin to skin contact with an infected individual and may take up to 8 days after contact before the rash appears. This virus can be transmitted up to 2-3 days before vesicle formation. Therefore, skin checks may only catch a portion of the individuals who are infected.
Weigh-ins and the 50% Rule
Recognizing that many schools will be canceling events this week as a result of the state wide suspension the MSHSL will allow all member schools to hold a weigh-in that can be counted for the post-season 50% weigh-in rule. The weigh-in must be held on Friday, February 2nd, or Saturday, February 3rd. No member of the coaching staff may oversee the weigh-in. The weigh-in must be conducted by a member of the school's administration. The weigh-ins can be registered on the school's official weigh-in form.
Additional Information
For information on Herpes Gladitorum please see:
# MSHSL Skin Infection Slide Show.
# For information on infection control to prevent infections among wrestlers please see:
# www.nfhs.org/web/2003/11/sports_medicine_nfhs_communicable_disease_procedures.aspx
# Questions regarding eligibility of wrestlers can be directed to the Minnesota State High School League, (763) 560-2262.
# If you have questions regarding Herpes Simplex, call the Minnesota Department of Health during business hours at 651-201-5414 or toll-free at 877-676-5414.
Home Page Photo The Minnesota High School wrestling community has been experiencing an outbreak of Herpes Gladiatorum, a skin infection due to Herpes Simplex type-1 virus. As of this date we are aware of 24 clinically-confirmed cases of Herpes Gladiatorum, involving the weight classes of 285, 215 and 189 lbs. The outbreak was first noted following a Team Tournament held in Rochester, MN, on December 29-30, 2006. Since that time 10 teams have reported wrestlers with skin lesions involving the face, head or neck. The Minnesota Department of Public Health and Dr. B.J. Anderson, MSHSL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee member and national and international skin condition expert, have been tracking the progress of the virus.
Wrestling Suspended State Wide
# To help control this outbreak and prevent further transmission during the up-coming State Tournament and qualifying Sectional tournaments, an immediate and mandatory 8 day shut down of all wrestling is recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health and ordered by the Minnesota State High School League. There shall be no competition or direct contact from Tuesday, January 30 through Tuesday, February 6. This includes all events scheduled for today.
# All wrestlers at all weight classes on all teams must follow this shut down.
# Conditioning and running may continue, but no competition or direct contact with other team mates is allowed.
# The coaching staff should perform skin checks each day and any suspicious lesion, especially in the 285, 215 and 189 lb weight classes should be referred to their healthcare provider for appropriate care including culture for Herpes Simplex virus.
# There shall be no competition or direct contact from Tuesday, January 30 through Tuesday, February 6.
# Competition and direct contact can begin again on Wednesday, February 7.
# The mandatory suspension applies only to programs sponsored by Minnesota State High School League member schools. Junior high, middle school, elementary and youth wrestling programs are not impacted. Any student 7-9 who is participating in Varsity practice or on your JB/B-Squad teams is also prohibited from competition and contact during this suspension period.
The MSHSL has imposed the eight day wrestling suspension with the hope of achieving these goals:
# To control existing outbreaks of the virus
# To assist in the immediate detection, diagnosis and treatment of new outbreaks of the virus
# To help prevent skin related disqualifications at the section or state tournaments.
Identifying the Virus
Lesions can also occur on the extremities or trunk. If lesions occur in or around the eye, medical evaluation should be sought immediately. Symptoms can occur prior to the rash including: sore throat, fever greater than 101°F, and swollen lymph nodes. The rash has groupings of 5-8 vesicles or blisters surrounded by a red base. The virus is spread via direct skin to skin contact with an infected individual and may take up to 8 days after contact before the rash appears. This virus can be transmitted up to 2-3 days before vesicle formation. Therefore, skin checks may only catch a portion of the individuals who are infected.
Weigh-ins and the 50% Rule
Recognizing that many schools will be canceling events this week as a result of the state wide suspension the MSHSL will allow all member schools to hold a weigh-in that can be counted for the post-season 50% weigh-in rule. The weigh-in must be held on Friday, February 2nd, or Saturday, February 3rd. No member of the coaching staff may oversee the weigh-in. The weigh-in must be conducted by a member of the school's administration. The weigh-ins can be registered on the school's official weigh-in form.
Additional Information
For information on Herpes Gladitorum please see:
# MSHSL Skin Infection Slide Show.
# For information on infection control to prevent infections among wrestlers please see:
# www.nfhs.org/web/2003/11/sports_medicine_nfhs_communicable_disease_procedures.aspx
# Questions regarding eligibility of wrestlers can be directed to the Minnesota State High School League, (763) 560-2262.
# If you have questions regarding Herpes Simplex, call the Minnesota Department of Health during business hours at 651-201-5414 or toll-free at 877-676-5414.