Oct 26, 2007 1:22 pm US/Eastern
Health Dept. Confirms 7th Grader Died From MRSA
Friends, Family Lament Loss Of 'Young Angel' Omar
BROOKLYN (CBS) ―
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Omar Rivera, a seventh grader from Brooklyn, has died from the MRSA superbug staph infection.
CBS
A local middle school student who died 10 days ago fell victim to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, the drug-resistant staph infection that has gripped the nation recently, the Health Department confirmed.
The victim, identified as 12-year-old Omar Rivera, was a 7th grade student at John Wilson IS-122 in Brooklyn. Officials confirmed Thursday his death was caused by the "superbug" infection.
The school honored the boy's memory with a lighted sign that read, "Our hearts go out to our young angel!"
"It was a sudden thing, like everybody said he just passed away," neighbor Giselle Riquelmy said.
Khalid James was Rivera's best friend.
"When we was walking, he was limping when he was walking on his leg, and then after that he didn't come to school for a whole week," James said.
Rivera was said to have suffered from a boil or rash on his back, a common symptom of the infection, but it was apparently not treated properly.
Added neighbor Lynn Martis: "He had this infection and the next thing we know he passed away."
Others were just stunned a boy so vibrant and young could be gone so quickly.
"He always looked healthy to me, took care of himself," friend Frank Lugo said.
Rivera's classmates were sent home with the news after it was made public, along with instructions for protecting themselves.
"In school today the principal telling us to wash our hands and stuff like because we could get the disease," Rivera's classmate Michael Elmore said.
The school is taking routine precautions. Health officials say unless another case surfaces here that should be sufficient.
"We just don't know where this young boy picked up this particular infection, but again our hearts go out to the family and we are in total unison with the Department of Health and the Department of Education," Principal Buffie Simmons said.
At the school today, parents tell CBS 2 they are satisfied with the response. "They're taking the necessary precautions, so I have faith in the school," said parent Zenja Santos.
But others were not convinced, taking concerns directly to the principal and pulling their children out of class just in case.
"They said that it is fine, that she can stay in school. But I want to take her to the doctor to make sure everything is fine," said Aiesha Cook, guardian of one of the students.
Students also admit they are a bit nervous since the news spread and they were told to take precautions. "I'm scared I might catch it from somebody else in the school who might have it," said student Carlos Myrie.
Stay with wcbstv.com and CBS 2 for the latest in this developing story.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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