An outbreak of a skin infection has led the Minnesota State High School League to cancel wrestling events statewide for eight days. There will be no meets from today, Jan. 30, through next Tuesday, Feb. 6.

The outbreak of herpes gladiatorum, a skin infection due to herpes Simplex type-1 virus, was first noted at a wrestling tournament in Rochester, Minn, Dec. 29-30, according to a release by Litchfield High School. Since then, the league has 24 clinically confirmed cases of herpes gladiatorum. Ten teams have reported wrestlers with skin lesions involving the face, head or neck.

Litchfield High School Principal Mike Goodrum said no wrestlers on the Litchfield wrestling team have been affected by the outbreak.

To help control the outbreak and prevent further transmission during the upcoming State Tournament and qualifying Sectional tournaments, an immediate and mandatory eight day shut down of all wrestling is recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health and ordered by the MSHSL. Conditioning and running may continue during the shut down, but no competition or direct contact with other team mates is allowed.