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School districts not disclosing location of H1N1 confirmed cases
Story Updated: Sep 18, 2009 at 5:32 PM MDT
By Hasti Taghi
BONNEVILLE COUNTY -
Swine Flu is here and quickly spreading. Three new confirmed cases today brings the total to 12 people infected with the H1N1 virus just in Bonneville County. Most of them are students. But the school districts are not letting parents know which schools they attend.
"Disclosure at this point serves no real purpose," says Guy Bliesner, District 93.
"There is a concern in what kind of disruption that might create," says Margaret Wimborne, District 91.
"The potential exists for the support staff of a school to be overwhelmed and the education to be disrupted," says Bliesner.
One parent writes, "if they would notify the parents then there is a better chance of breaking the chain of infection."
"The actual location of the confirmed cases is irrelevant," says Geri Rackow, Eastern Idaho Public Health District.
The Public Health District feels it's not a matter of pinpointing the exact schools because the virus is here and can be found anywhere in the community.
"You need to be taking those protective measures to help prevent you from getting that illness," says Rackow.
"It's in the malls, the shopping centers, the theaters," says Bliesner.
The fear is pinpointing one school would not only create a sense of panic, but take away that urgency among other schools.
"The reality is it's probably in all of the schools in our district," says Bliesner.
It takes about a week to get the results back for the swine-flu tests and by that point, most people infected have recovered.
So, the health district isn't recommending that you get tested unless you feel it's a severe case that needs to be treated.
At this point, the H1N1 virus is being treated like the regular flu.
Story Updated: Sep 18, 2009 at 5:32 PM MDT
By Hasti Taghi
BONNEVILLE COUNTY -
Swine Flu is here and quickly spreading. Three new confirmed cases today brings the total to 12 people infected with the H1N1 virus just in Bonneville County. Most of them are students. But the school districts are not letting parents know which schools they attend.
"Disclosure at this point serves no real purpose," says Guy Bliesner, District 93.
"There is a concern in what kind of disruption that might create," says Margaret Wimborne, District 91.
"The potential exists for the support staff of a school to be overwhelmed and the education to be disrupted," says Bliesner.
One parent writes, "if they would notify the parents then there is a better chance of breaking the chain of infection."
"The actual location of the confirmed cases is irrelevant," says Geri Rackow, Eastern Idaho Public Health District.
The Public Health District feels it's not a matter of pinpointing the exact schools because the virus is here and can be found anywhere in the community.
"You need to be taking those protective measures to help prevent you from getting that illness," says Rackow.
"It's in the malls, the shopping centers, the theaters," says Bliesner.
The fear is pinpointing one school would not only create a sense of panic, but take away that urgency among other schools.
"The reality is it's probably in all of the schools in our district," says Bliesner.
It takes about a week to get the results back for the swine-flu tests and by that point, most people infected have recovered.
So, the health district isn't recommending that you get tested unless you feel it's a severe case that needs to be treated.
At this point, the H1N1 virus is being treated like the regular flu.
