MEDIA ADVISORY

Philadelphia, October 20, 2007 - On Saturday, Community College of Philadelphia informed its students and faculty that a student at the Northeast Regional Center has a confirmed case of skin infection with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Judith Gay, vice president of Academic Affairs, said the student is receiving appropriate medical treatment.

"We appreciate the fact that we were given timely notice of this situation and are pleased to report that the student is under the care of a physician," Dr. Gay said. "Fortunately, available medical information suggests that MRSA is not highly contagious and is treatable. Transmission generally requires skin-to-skin contact with the infection site. However, it also may be spread by sharing items like towels or clothing with an infected person."

Weekend classes are being held as scheduled at the Northeast Regional Center, the Northwest Regional Center, the West Philadelphia Regional Center and at the College’s Main Campus.

"The College consulted with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health who informed us that this type of infection is not unusual and that the College does not need to close or engage in additional cleaning of our facility. To allay any concerns of students and staff, however, the College administration decided to take the extra precaution of having the Northeast Regional Center cleaned immediately," Dr. Gay said.