Schools across the country are temporarily closing thanks to incrased numbers of MRSA, a staph infection that has sent numerous students and school employees to the hospital.

Schools in Southern Illinois recently closed down for cleaning after MRSA was detected in the school. Janitors are reportidly taking extra measures to disinfect the schools in an effort to eliminate any chance of further spreading the infection.

In Central Texas there have been two confirmed cases of the infection. According to reports, the custodial staff disinfects nightly in all athletic dressing rooms and every kindergarten through second-grade classroom using a commercial-grade disinfectant. All other classrooms are cleaned daily and disinfected on alternate day.

A Central Virginia Community College also closed their main campus for two days after the infection was detected. Although the Health Departments explained that closing was not necessary, the school was willing to do whatever they could to rid the campus of MRSA. 

Although some schools have closed for cleaning, some officials say it isn't necessary. According to one report, cleaning top to bottom, disinfecting, sanitizing with specialized chemicals does not lower your risk of infection.  Schools or businesses closing because of reported cases, they say it is just a move to show they're doing something.

Dr. Katherine Nichols, Lynchburg Health Department - "Shutting down, cleaning, going through expensive procedures is not going to reduce anybody's risk of getting any kind of MRSA infection.  The thing that needs to be clean are these.  (Nichols holds up hands.)"