12 possible cases of H1N1 flu in Missouri school district

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12 possible cases of H1N1 flu in Missouri school district

10:23 AM CDT on Thursday, August 27, 2009

Stacie Reando, KMOV.com Special Contributor (KMOV) --

Twelve cases of what could possibly be the H1N1 flu have been reported in the Wentzville school district.

Administrators say the students have the type ?A? flu which could be the H1N1 flu.

A letter has been sent home to parents informing them about the possible cases.

Students with the sickness attend Holt High School, Wentzville Middle School, and Boone Trail Elementary. None of the students are currently in school and all of them have already been treated.

The district is thoroughly cleaning classrooms.

As of right now, the superintendent says there are no plans to close any schools.

http://www.kmov.com/topstories/stories/kmov-090827-h1n1-flu-missouri-schools.11f99676b.html

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Re: 12 possible cases of H1N1 flu in Missouri school district

More swine flu cases reported in Southeast Missouri school district
Thursday, August 27, 2009 ~ Updated 2:32 PM
By Donna Farley ~ Daily American Republic


DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Two additional cases of H1N1, also known as swine flu, were confirmed Wednesday in the Doniphan School District, the Daily American Republic reported.

Officials confirmed Monday that the first student there was sick with the virus. At least two of the students with the virus have a direct connection, according to officials.

In all three cases, the students are at home and doing well on medication, said Ripley County Public Health Center Director Jan Morrow. She could not release the ages of the students.

"We expected this," Morrow said. "We think we will probably have more positive cases. (Health officials) have predicted we will have periodic cases."

The Doniphan School District will continue to monitor the situation, but still believes it is in the best interest of the students to continue with classes, said Superintendent Kevin Sandlin.

"This is a difficult decision to make. We are working closely with the health department to determine what we believe is best for everyone," Sandlin said. "We have 1,450 students of 1,600 in school. At this point, business has to go on. We feel it is in the best interest of kids to be in school."

Sandlin stressed that anyone who believes they are sick should see their doctor and stay home.

"If you or your child are sick, please do not be out in public, other than when you absolutely have to," he said. "We're keeping an eye on this and we don't want to do anything to continue it."

The school is taking preventive measures, encouraging students to wash their hands, distributing hand sanitizer and disinfecting surfaces, Sandlin said.

"If we weren't prepared, things would be progressing more rapidly," he continued. "It is a credit to the health department, (our staff) and parents that we are where we are now."

The health center is working with the medical community, and parents, who have all been very cooperative, Morrow said.

"If everyone in the community will join with us in this fight, we hope to slow it down," she said.

Morrow also advises members of the public to wash their hands frequently; to see a doctor if they are sick or have a temperature; and to stay home if they are sick.

Sandlin recommends anyone with questions about H1N1 call the health department. The district will be providing parents with additional information today and as the situation progresses.

Community members are concerned, Morrow said, and the health center is trying to reassure them.

"This is what the county health department is here for, to be a resource," she said.

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1565619.html

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Re: 12 possible cases of H1N1 flu in Missouri school district

Swine flu confirmed at another Southeast Missouri school district


Saturday, August 29, 2009
By Donna Farley ~ Daily American Republic


POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff School District student has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu.

The high school student was treated with antiviral drugs and recovered without hospitalization, said Butler County Health Department nurse Sherri Dodson. A private lab confirmed Thursday the virus was

H1N1.

The district sent information home to parents Friday, superintendent Ernie Lawson said.

Attendance levels are normal and the school routine will continue, with the district stepping up preventive measures, he said.

"The worst thing that can happen is for people to panic because of rumors," Lawson said. "We have been in contact with the health department and will do everything we can to slow down the virus. We have the kids' safety at heart. We are not going to put anybody in danger."

The district placed hand sanitizer in the hallways outside cafeterias before school started and has been working to isolate children who seem sick, according to

Lawson.

The student who was sick had a mild case of the virus, Dodson said.

Vaccines expected

Vaccines for H1N1 are expected to be distributed in the coming months, Dodson said. The health department has not been told how many will be provided for this area or what target population will receive the

vaccines.

The health department will continue to be in contact with school districts and make sure the proper plans are in place, she said.

"What people need to remember is [to] do hand washing, cover their cough and sneeze, get treatment when they are sick and stay home," Dodson

said.

Health officials say anyone who is sick should stay home until they have been fever free without the help of medication for 24 hours.

Missouri has had about 90 lab-confirmed cases of H1N1, according the most recent statistics from Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The majority of the more than 43,000 confirmed H1N1 illnesses in the United States before July 24 have been mild and uncomplicated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. The CDC is no longer counting individual cases, it said, because not all people who are sick seek medical care or have specimens collected by their health care provider.

Specific testing for H1N1 continues at private labs by doctors' requests. Between 98 and 99 percent of people who test positive for Influenza Type A also test positive for H1N1, according to the CDC. Those who test positive for Type A are typically assumed to have H1N1.

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1565950.html