The Municipal Center for Early Childhood Education (CMEI) Maria Vila de Carvalho, in the municipality of Marumbi in the state of Paraná in the Southern Region of Brazil suspended activities this week due to an outbreak of impetigo, a highly contagious skin disease, according to a Tribuna report (computer translated).

Image/CDC

City health officials confirmed that 11 cases of the disease were registered and 27 others reported, mainly among children from 4 months to 5 years.

Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection that can produce blisters or sores anywhere on the body, but usually on the face (around the nose and mouth), neck, hands, and diaper area. It’s contagious, preventable, and manageable with antibiotics.

Two types of bacteria found on our skin cause impetigo: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (which also causes strep throat).

The symptoms of impetigo are present– itchy red sores that fill with fluid and then burst open, forming a yellow crust; itchy rash and fluid-filled blisters.

Impetigo is usually treated with topical or oral antibiotics.

Because impetigo spreads by skin-to-skin contact, there often are small outbreaks within a family or a classroom, Smith says. Avoid touching objects that someone with impetigo has used, such as utensils, towels, sheets, clothing and toys. If you have impetigo, keep your fingernails short so the bacteria can’t live under your nails and spread. Also, don’t scratch the sores.