Breaking News - Posted: 1/30/07
State wrestling to shut down for 8 days
All of the state's wrestling programs have been shut down for 8 days effective today by order of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). The action, taken at the recommendation of the Minnesota Department of Health, was made to help control an outbreak and prevent further transmission of Herpes Gladiatorum, a skin infection due to Herpes Simplex type-1 virus.
There shall be no competition or direct contact from Tuesday, January 30, through Tuesday, February 6. The order included all wrestling events scheduled for today across the state. Conditioning and running may continue, but no competition or direct contact with other team mates is allowed.
"I want to stress that there are no local symptoms. Nothing has occurred locally," CHS athletic director Ken VanDenBoom said on Tuesday. As of now, the meet with Cashton has been canceled and will not be re-scheduled. The Southland meet has been postponed and may be re-scheduled.
In its alert to the state's high school athletic directors this morning, MSHSL reported that it was aware of 24 clinically-confirmed cases of the infection, involving the weight classes of 285, 215, and 189 pounds. "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.
"Competition and direct contact can begin again on Wednesday, February 7," the article continued. That would only leave February 8, 9, or 10 for competition, VanDenBoom reported. Team section competition begins on February 15.
"The MSHSL took the action because it always wants to be as safe as possible when dealing with young people," VanDenBoom continued. I think it didn't want to affect section or state tournament wrestling competition."
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 equal to or greater than 101 degrees 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."
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