MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — A Brevard County mother said her son contracted MRSA from his high school football gear.
The teenager attends Merritt Island High School.
MRSA is a bacterium that causes an infection on the skin, causing sores and boils.
School officials said the school's football gear is sanitized before being handed out to players.
Even though there is not a way to prove the football helmet is the cause, school officials said they are not taking any chances and are cleaning the locker rooms as a precaution.
The Brevard County mother posted to social media to warn parents about her claim of poorly sanitized equipment.
Nicole Meyers said on Facebook, "My son started spring football practice at Merritt Island High School. He has since contracted MRSA from wearing a football helmet that was not properly sanitized before reissue."
It's something other athletes are trying to wrap their heads around.
"I just hope that no one else catches it. Me personally, I feel like they should have been more precautious about this kind of stuff. I feel like they should have done, been prepared for this stuff. This should have never happened," said school athlete Valodya Hansen.
MRSA is usually not serious, but can be life-threatening. Health officials said they are alarmed by some of the strains because they are so hard to treat.
The district confirmed that a student did have MRSA.
In a statement, the district said, "What we know is that one student has been diagnosed with MRSA. We have no information that this is related to the school or football equipment. In fact, the football helmets in question were reconditioned and sanitized prior to distribution."
In the meantime, the school is cleaning the locker rooms again and letting parents know what happened and what they are doing to protect other students.
So far, no one else has come forward.
As for the football player, he is staying at home while he heals.
WFTV
