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Source: http://www.wptv.com/news/local/stor...h-Gardens-daycare/C72cVFCul0emzEyo-ZNhMg.cspx
Flu outbreak hits Palm Beach Gardens daycare
Reported by: Jennifer Rivera
Email: jrivera@wptv.com
Photographer: Gary Russ
Last Update: 5:46 pm
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL--Precautions are being taken at the Center for Early Learning in Palm Beach Gardens because of two possible cases of swine flu.
A half dozen other children have shown flu symptoms and are being tested.
No one at the center has been confirmed with the disease. However, the Palm Beach County Health Department says ?Type A Influenza? often ends up being swine flu.
"Once they do a rapid test for ?Influenza A?, the assumption is made that it probably is swine flu given the time of year and the other symptoms that are associated with it," said Tim O?Connor with the Palm Beach County Health Department.
A number of summer camps have been struggling to contain outbreaks and there is concern about what will happen when kids go back to school in a few weeks.
In response to the cases at the daycare center, a letter was sent home with parents on Friday.
"The letter was informing parents that there are cases that have been reported for ?Type A Influenza? and it also tells folks what to do in the event their child should feel ill," said PBCC Palm Beach Gardens Provost Jean Wihbby.
Any child at the center that shows symptoms of being sick is immediately isolated from other children and isn't allowed to return for at least seven days.
The center has a 'dirty' sink for kids to wash their hands after they go to the bathroom and a 'clean' sink to use before and after eating and activities. Hand sanitizer is kept outside every classroom.
After they close, the deep cleaning begins.
"We've had our maintenance staff come in and sanitize everything,? said Wihbby, ?They've been sanitizing crayons, books everything, doors, door handles, all the toys."
The health department says there is no need for parents to panic or keep their children out of daycare centers.
"It's right now still fairly mild, but it's definitely worth watching because nobody has immunity to it," said O?Connor.
As an added precaution, the center keeps on hand small masks for children to put on if they develop a cough. They are told to wear it until their parents pick them up.
Meanwhile, area school districts are also getting ready for students to return. The Palm Beach County School District plans to follow the guidelines set by the CDC and the Palm Beach County Health Department, focusing in particular on encouraging frequent hand-washing.
Flu outbreak hits Palm Beach Gardens daycare
Reported by: Jennifer Rivera
Email: jrivera@wptv.com
Photographer: Gary Russ
Last Update: 5:46 pm
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL--Precautions are being taken at the Center for Early Learning in Palm Beach Gardens because of two possible cases of swine flu.
A half dozen other children have shown flu symptoms and are being tested.
No one at the center has been confirmed with the disease. However, the Palm Beach County Health Department says ?Type A Influenza? often ends up being swine flu.
"Once they do a rapid test for ?Influenza A?, the assumption is made that it probably is swine flu given the time of year and the other symptoms that are associated with it," said Tim O?Connor with the Palm Beach County Health Department.
A number of summer camps have been struggling to contain outbreaks and there is concern about what will happen when kids go back to school in a few weeks.
In response to the cases at the daycare center, a letter was sent home with parents on Friday.
"The letter was informing parents that there are cases that have been reported for ?Type A Influenza? and it also tells folks what to do in the event their child should feel ill," said PBCC Palm Beach Gardens Provost Jean Wihbby.
Any child at the center that shows symptoms of being sick is immediately isolated from other children and isn't allowed to return for at least seven days.
The center has a 'dirty' sink for kids to wash their hands after they go to the bathroom and a 'clean' sink to use before and after eating and activities. Hand sanitizer is kept outside every classroom.
After they close, the deep cleaning begins.
"We've had our maintenance staff come in and sanitize everything,? said Wihbby, ?They've been sanitizing crayons, books everything, doors, door handles, all the toys."
The health department says there is no need for parents to panic or keep their children out of daycare centers.
"It's right now still fairly mild, but it's definitely worth watching because nobody has immunity to it," said O?Connor.
As an added precaution, the center keeps on hand small masks for children to put on if they develop a cough. They are told to wear it until their parents pick them up.
Meanwhile, area school districts are also getting ready for students to return. The Palm Beach County School District plans to follow the guidelines set by the CDC and the Palm Beach County Health Department, focusing in particular on encouraging frequent hand-washing.