Overview
- Bellaire High principal Michael Niggli told parents that confirmed staph infections among team members prompted the decision to cancel the varsity game versus Lamar.
- The school said the move followed recommendations from the HISD Health and Medical Department and the Houston Health Department Epidemiology team and that HISD is taking appropriate response steps.
- Under University Interscholastic League rules the canceled contest will be recorded as a win for Lamar High School.
- School communications did not provide case counts, clinical details, or specific cleaning and testing measures, and local reporting noted officials advising thorough disinfection of sports gear.
- Health experts say staph can spread through skin contact and shared equipment in contact sports so the next steps to watch are the district and health department’s investigation, facility cleaning, and any further notifications to families.