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Source: http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/644461
H1N1 outbreaks hit schools
September 30, 2009
Daniel Nolan
The Hamilton Spectator
(Sep 30, 2009)
An outbreak of H1N1 Influenza A has been confirmed at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School in Stoney Creek.
The public health department announced the outbreak of the flu -- otherwise known as the swine flu -- at the Whitedeer Road school late yesterday.
The health department also confirmed an outbreak of Influenza A at Columbia International College. It has not been confirmed as the H1N1 strain at the Main Street West school, but the department said that is the predominant strain circulating and more lab tests are being done.
Michelle Baird, manager of infectious diseases, couldn't say how many students have the flu at the schools.
Columbia, said to be the largest private university preparatory school in Canada, has 1,300 students from 51 countries. St. Mark has 700 students and is one of the largest schools within the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.
Baird said letters have gone to parents at St. Mark school, and to students at Columbia, telling them of the outbreaks and to take precautions.
"What has been reported in these outbreaks is fairly mild -- fever, cough, sore threat and respiratory systems -- but certainly if you're at risk from complications from flu you should follow up with your (doctor)," Baird said.
Columbia principal Ron Rambarran said last night about 50 students are ill in the residences. They have been given masks and are being looked after by residence staff in their rooms.
Rambarran said the school has been focusing on H1N1 in the past few weeks and, among other things, has increased its housecleaning and has taught students the proper way to cough, sneeze and wash their hands.
"I suspect we've done such a good job ... that any student with the slightest cough is rushing into the medical clinic," Rambarran added, noting 30 students visited the clinic yesterday.
The Public Health Agency of Canada says H1N1 is a new strain of influenza, different from the regular flu. Since it first emerged in April, it is affecting more young and healthy people than the regular flu, which normally affects young children and seniors. People with medical conditions and pregnant women may be at a greater risk for severe illness from contracting H1N1.
Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, noted H1N1 has been present in the community throughout the summer, so her agency did not find it "surprising that we are seeing it spread in schools as this is typical of even seasonal influenza."
dnolan@thespec.com
H1N1 outbreaks hit schools
September 30, 2009
Daniel Nolan
The Hamilton Spectator
(Sep 30, 2009)
An outbreak of H1N1 Influenza A has been confirmed at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School in Stoney Creek.
The public health department announced the outbreak of the flu -- otherwise known as the swine flu -- at the Whitedeer Road school late yesterday.
The health department also confirmed an outbreak of Influenza A at Columbia International College. It has not been confirmed as the H1N1 strain at the Main Street West school, but the department said that is the predominant strain circulating and more lab tests are being done.
Michelle Baird, manager of infectious diseases, couldn't say how many students have the flu at the schools.
Columbia, said to be the largest private university preparatory school in Canada, has 1,300 students from 51 countries. St. Mark has 700 students and is one of the largest schools within the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.
Baird said letters have gone to parents at St. Mark school, and to students at Columbia, telling them of the outbreaks and to take precautions.
"What has been reported in these outbreaks is fairly mild -- fever, cough, sore threat and respiratory systems -- but certainly if you're at risk from complications from flu you should follow up with your (doctor)," Baird said.
Columbia principal Ron Rambarran said last night about 50 students are ill in the residences. They have been given masks and are being looked after by residence staff in their rooms.
Rambarran said the school has been focusing on H1N1 in the past few weeks and, among other things, has increased its housecleaning and has taught students the proper way to cough, sneeze and wash their hands.
"I suspect we've done such a good job ... that any student with the slightest cough is rushing into the medical clinic," Rambarran added, noting 30 students visited the clinic yesterday.
The Public Health Agency of Canada says H1N1 is a new strain of influenza, different from the regular flu. Since it first emerged in April, it is affecting more young and healthy people than the regular flu, which normally affects young children and seniors. People with medical conditions and pregnant women may be at a greater risk for severe illness from contracting H1N1.
Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, noted H1N1 has been present in the community throughout the summer, so her agency did not find it "surprising that we are seeing it spread in schools as this is typical of even seasonal influenza."
dnolan@thespec.com
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