Impetigo outbreak cancels Belle Plaine-Jordan football game

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. (KMSP) - Friday night's Belle Plaine vs Jordan High School football game has been canceled due to an outbreak of the highly infectious skin disease impetigo within the Belle Plaine football team. Belle Plaine will forfeit the game, which will be recorded as a 2-0 Jordan win. The game will not be rescheduled. 

Impetigo usually expresses itself as red sores on the face, especially around the nose and mouth, and on the hands and feet. The sores burst and develop "honey-colored crusts," according to the Mayo Clinic. Antibiotic treatment is usually prescribed to help prevent the spread of impetigo to others, as well as no contact with other people 24 hours after you begin antibiotic treatment.

Belle Plaine School District statement

We regret to inform you that we have had an outbreak of impetigo that has affected our football program. Administration became aware of some occurrences yesterday afternoon.

Activities Director, John Bergs has consulted with the MSHSL doctor and we have followed their recommendations on safety of the athletes and our space. The football game will not be played tonight, nor on Monday against Jordan.

We prioritize the safety of our students and staff and want to control the issue as much as we can. Impetigo is spread mainly through skin-to-skin contact and rarely through contact with surfaces.

As a precaution, our phy ed teachers and coaches are directing our boys to bring their clothing and equipment home this weekend to get washed. Our custodial staff will be giving our locker rooms a thorough cleaning this weekend.

While we're disappointed our students will not be able to participate in the rivalry game against Jordan tonight, I know we have taken the necessary safety precautions.

Jordan Public Schools statement

We regret to inform you that we have received emergency communication from Belle Plaine School District Administration and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) telling us that due to a large number of Belle Plaine varsity football players affected by a highly contagious bacterial skin infection, impetigo, tonight’s varsity football game between Jordan and Belle Plaine has been cancelled. This decision has been made for the safety and health of players from both programs.

Despite this unfortunate cancellation, the intention is to carry on the other events as scheduled. The “Tackle Cancer” Fundraiser and BBQ, the Jiv Pauly Press Box Dedication, the youth cheer and youth football events will go on as scheduled. Alternative events in place of the Varsity Football game will also take place.

“Tackle Cancer” Fundraiser and BBQ: 5:00pm - 7:30pm
JHS Band Entertainment: 6:30pm
Jiv Pauly Dedication: 6:45pm
Youth Cheer: arrive between 5:30pm - 6:20pm
Youth Football: arrive by 7:00pm before Varsity Football Exhibition
Varsity Football Exhibition: 7:00pm - 7:30pm

We are excited to welcome everyone tonight despite the game cancellation. It will be a great night!