Important Message From Dr. Krueger

10/12/2026

I am writing to follow up the recent report regarding an individual in our school district who was diagnosed with diphtheria. Out of an abundance of caution, we communicated with faculty, staff and families of the schools where there may have been possible direct or in-direct contact in school or while on school bus transportation (East Middle, Clinton, Northwood, and Winchester-Potters Elementary Schools).

I have had conversations with both our school physician, Dr. Prise, and the Epidemiologist team at the Erie County Department of Health to be certain that we are doing all that is recommended to ensure the safety of our faculty, staff and students before school resumes on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Through these conversations, I have learned that there have been only ten (10) cases of diphtheria in the United States over the past 20 years. Due to the rarity of diphtheria in the United States, there are nuances of this that we may be less familiar with compared to other bacterial infections or viruses. To learn more about diphtheria, please visit the CDC’s website at: (www.cdc.gov/diphtheria/about). The best way to prevent diphtheria infection is by staying up to date with diphtheria vaccinations. CDC recommends routine diphtheria vaccination for everyone.

We are following the standard and established cleaning and disinfecting protocols, which are recommended in a school setting to reduce diphtheria transmission. Today, staff will be working within the school where direct contact may have occurred and in our transportation department to ensure surfaces within the school and potentially affected buses have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Should you have any questions regarding your child’s health, please contact your child’s pediatrician.

Thank you,

Dr. Lisa Krueger

Superintendent of Schools

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