On March 22 two cases of pinworm were reported at Randall Holden Elementary. Although pinworm is not considered a serious health threat, the school is working diligently to clean the entire building nightly in attempts to halt spread of the parasite. This is the second Warwick school to report a case of pinworm in the last month.

The district is looking for parents to do their part.

Superintendent Philip Thornton said there have been no more cases of pinworm reported within the district since last Tuesday and the school’s have been “extremely vigilant” with their cleaning protocol since the first outbreak.

“Right now, the schools are probably the cleanest locations students can be in,” Thornton said. “Now, it’s just a matter of making sure everyone works together so that the same practices are taken up even at home.”

Joseph Wendelken, a spokesperson for the Department of Health (HEALTH), reassured that pinworm is not a major health concern and rather common among school aged and preschool aged children.

“The pinworm infection is spread by the fecal-oral route [by the transfer from the anus to someone’s mouth, either directly by hand or indirectly through contaminated clothing, bedding, food, etc.]. It can be treated with either prescription or over-the-counter medications.”

According to HEALTH the “most effective way to prevent” pinworm is for families to stick with best hygiene practices. These include washing hands with soap and warm water every time after using the toilet, changing diapers and always before handling and eating food. Also, daily morning showering and changing underwear helps to prevent infection and re-infection. Also, trim and scrub your child’s fingernails. Wash clothing, towels and bedding in hot water.

In a letter to parents Holden Principal Laurence Birmingham asked parents to check their child for pinworm. Signs of a possible pinworm infection are frequent and strong itching of the anal area, restless sleep due to itching and discomfort in anal area, pain, rash or skin irritation around the anus, or the presence of pinworms in a child’s anus or stool. Should a child exhibit these symptoms the school is urging parents to call a pediatrician and the school nurse.

A case of pinworm was reported March 11 at the Drum Rock Early Childhood Center.