THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS NOW CONFIRMED A TOTAL OF TWO CASES OF STAPH INFECTION IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND ARE LOOKING INTO AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL CASE. A STUDENT AT GATE CITY HIGH SCHOOL WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING THE MOST SERIOUS STRAND OF THE BACTERIA, WHICH IS RESISTANT TO TRADITIONAL ANTIBIOTICS. THE SECOND CONFIRMED CASE CAME FROM A STUDENT AT APPALACHIA HIGH SCHOOL. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE BEST WAYS TO PREVENT SPREADING BACTERIA IS TO WASH YOUR HANDS AND AVOID SHARING PERSONAL ITEMS SUCH AS TOWELS, RAZORS OR EATING UTENSILS. STAPH IS MOST COMMONLY TRANSMITTED THROUGH AN OPENING OR WOUND IN THE SKIN OR THROUGH ITEMS THAT INFECTED PEOPLE HAVE TOUCHED, SUCH AS SURFACES AND ARTICLES OF CLOTHING.