We say ...

Before teachers start donning protective clothing, they should note that the Health Protection Agency is not aware of any such alert being issued to schools.

It does plan to provide updated guidance on MRSA for doctors, but has no plans to pass this on to teachers. Indeed, it says schools do not face any increased danger from the infectious bacterium.

Certain strains of community-acquired Methicillin-resistent and Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA) can enter the body through cuts and grazes and lead to blood-poisoning and death.

Those who saw the Daily Mail article may have been further alarmed by a box stating that these had caused 496 deaths in the UK. But as the article itself noted, 496 was actually the number of people who are known to have been infected; the total fatalities over the past two years stand at seven.