Ridding NC middle school of harmful fungi will take awhile, principal says
Cleaning and sanitizing West Rowan Middle School after the discovery of potentially harmful biological agents will take weeks, principal Lydia Richmond revealed in a message to families Thursday.
Learning will remain virtual until Sept. 9, Richmond said. School officials will “reevaluate the status of the building” on Sept. 6.
“We are working to get our students back to the WRMS building as quickly and as safely as possible,” Richmond posted on the school’s website.
Officials closed the school after receiving test results on Monday confirming “microbial growth” in the HVAC system, Rowan-Salisbury Chief of Schools Greggory Slate said in a phone message to families on Monday.
The tests found elevated levels of two types of fungi, aspergillus and penicillium, Rowan-Salisbury Schools spokeswoman Jeanie McDowell told The Charlotte Observer.
Aspergillus is a common indoor and outdoor mold spore that can cause allergic reactions and lung and other infections in people with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Penicillium, now called talaromycosis, can produce fever, weight loss, coughing, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty breathing and small, painless bumps on the skin, according to the CDC.
Talaromycosis, however, affects only people who live in or visit Southeast Asia, southern China or eastern India and have medical conditions that weaken their immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS, according to the CDC.
In her message to families Thursday, Richmond also said:
▪ Athletic games and practices will continue as scheduled, although locker rooms are closed.
▪ Free student lunches are available by registering on the school’s website.
This story was originally published August 26, 2022 at 1:55 PM.