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Flu season hits two Vancouver schools hard

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  • Flu season hits two Vancouver schools hard

    Flu season hits two Vancouver schools hard

    Updated: Tue Sep. 22 2009 21:49:47

    ctvbc.ca

    Flu season is apparently off to an aggressive start at two Vancouver schools.

    At Elsie Roy Elementary in Yaletown, 92 -- or about one-third -- of the school's 300-plus students are home sick.

    A bulletin on the school's door dated Monday says health officials believe it may be an outbreak of the H1N1 virus, though serious cases are rare.

    Gavin Wilson, a spokesman for Vancouver Coastal Health, told ctvbc.ca Tuesday night that the cases have so far been mild, but health officials plan to conduct tests to see if they're dealing with H1N1.

    Meanwhile, a similar notice went out to parents Tuesday at Notre Dame Regional Secondary School, where 60 out of 500-plus students are at home sick.

    School are required to contact health authorities whenever absenteeism surpasses 10 percent, Wilson said.

    Health officials are asking sick children to stay home until they get better and see a doctor if they have underlying health conditions.

    At one elementary school, about one-third of students are home sick. Health officials say tests are underway to determine whether they're dealing with H1N1.
    "If you could for a moment rise up out of your own beloved skin and appraise ant, human, and virus as equally resourceful beings, you might admire the accord they have all struck in Africa. Back in your skin of course, you'll shriek for a cure. But remember: air travel, roads, cities, prostitution, the congregation of people for efficient commerce - these are gifts of godspeed to the virus"
    The Poisonwood Bible

  • #2
    Re: Flu season hits two Vancouver schools hard

    Absenteeism rate rises sharply

    VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980)

    9/23/2009

    Dozens of students at two Vancouver schools are home sick with what could be the H1N1 flu.

    Gavin Wilson with Coastal Health says Elsie Roy Elementary in Yaletown and Notre Dame Secondary School in East Van have reported higher-than-normal absentee rates, "So a notice has gone home to parents, notifying them that there is an illness going around the school and it's potentially the H1N1 virus. We don't know that for sure. But we do know that we anticipated that the H1N1 virus would be more prevalent in the community once people got back to school and back to work."

    111 students at Elsie Roy were away Tuesday while about 60 students at Notre Dame were absent, but Wilson says the illnesses appear to be mild.

    Health officials remind everyone to wash their hands regularly, cough into sleeves and stay home if you feel ill.


    News Talk 980 CKNW | Vancouver's News. Vancouver's Talk. Breaking News & Talk radio station. Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

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