Effective immediately, all wrestling at the senior high school level
has been temporarily suspended as a result of a dangerous outbreak of a
very infectious skin disease called Herpes Gladiatorum. The suspension
mandates that all wrestlers participating in programs sponsored by Minnesota State High
School League member schools cease all activities that involve
direct contact with any other individual.
All wrestlers at all weight classes at all League member schools must
comply with the mandatory suspension. The suspension will be lifted on
Wednesday, February 7. Until then, there shall be no contact between
wrestlers. Teams may continue conditioning programs. However, coaching
staffs have been instructed to perform daily skin checks and refer any
suspicious lesions to appropriate medical personnel.
Herpes gladiatorum is not a fatal disease. However, once it is
contracted it becomes a permanent condition. Left untreated, the
infection can lead to serious consequences. The Minnesota Department of
Public Health and Dr. B.J. Anderson, a noted authority on infectious
skin diseases and also a member of the League’s Sports Medicine
Advisory Committee, have been tracking the herpes outbreak since late
December. Evidence suggests that the disease began to spread following
a team tournament in Rochester on December 29th and 30th. Since then
there have been 24 clinically confirmed cases among 10 different teams.
The safety of the state’s student-athletes is of paramount concern.
While the 8-day suspension of all wrestling competition may be
considered disruptive, it is hoped that controlling the spread of the
disease now will minimize the risk of athletes being disqualified
during the upcoming section and state tournaments.
The suspension period will also allow affected wrestlers to continue
treatment, as well as allow school personnel to monitor athletes that
may have been exposed but who have not yet shown any symptoms. The
disease is spread from direct skin-to-skin contact and it can take up
to 8 days before the first sign of a rash appears.
League member schools and registered wrestling officials have been
notified of the mandatory suspension.
Other
Information:
Virus causes
high school wrestling suspension - startribune.com
The Minnesota State High School League is suspending the sport for
eight days because of a skin-infection outbreak. Some coaches are
calling the move bold but positive. more
Skin
infection halts high school wrestling - minnesota.publicradio.org
High school wresting was suspended across Minnesota on Tuesday because
of an outbreak of a skin infection. The Minnesota State High School
League says 24 individual cases of herpes gladiatorum have been
confirmed. more
Herpes Outbreak Leads To H.S. Wrestling Suspension - wcco.com
Minneapolis High school wrestling was suspended Tuesday across the
state due to a widespread outbreak of a skin infection. The Minnesota
State High School League said 24 cases of herpes gladiatorum have been
reported by 10 teams. more