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1/3 of students absent as illness takes a toll at Chanute schools (Sept. 30)
The Neosho County, Kansas Health Department director says close to 200 students were absent from Chanute High School on Tuesday.
Hospitals see flu surge
10/1 Hutchinson News
Hospitals in Newton and Liberal imposed restrictions against children visiting this week because of the rising number of suspected H1N1 flu cases showing up in their emergency rooms.
Though it has implemented no restrictions on visitation, Dodge City's hospital has also seen a significant influx of flu cases, officials there confirmed.
Great Bend see flu outbreak
10/1 ksn.com
GREAT BEND, Kansas ? It looks as if an H1N1 outbreak is hitting Great Bend. This week, nearly 200 students have missed classes in the public school district and making matters worse, a commonly used drug to treat the virus is running in short supply.
Empty desks are a common site across schools in USD 248 as seven percent of the district?s student population is out sick.
H1N1 Case Likely Here
Iola Register 10/1
A student at McKinley Elementary School has ?tested positive for Influenza A, which is likely H1N1,? Principal Lori Maxwell said in a letter sent home to parents Wednesday. A similar letter is being sent home today with students of Jefferson Elementary School, where another such case has been diagnosed, said USD 257 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Craig Neuenswander.
The cases will remain, officially, just Influenza A.
?The state of Kansas is not doing further testing unless someone is hospitalized,? said Diane Bertone, administrator at Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department. ?No matter which flu you get, they are all being treated the same,? Bertone said.
Neuenswander said that while the H1N1 vaccine has now reached the state, doses sized for children are not yet available. When they are, an evening clinic for all USD 257 elementary children will be conducted at Jefferson Elementary School. Iola?s middle and high school students will receive the vaccine during their regular school day. Until then, both the school district and the health department say parents should watch their children for signs of illness, and if they are running a fever, keep them home. Parents should remain home with their children if they do have the flu, said Public Health Nurse Wendy Froggatte, as fevers could spike quickly.
District policy this year is that a student must be fever-free, without medication, for at least 24 hours before returning to classes.
And everyone, said Bertone, should wash and wash and wash their hands.
Schools watching illness closely
Hays Daily News 10/1
There aren't necessarily more illnesses among local school children this fall.
It just might seem that way because the public is more aware of symptoms and precautions because of the H1N1 pandemic flu scare, said Jill Pollock, longtime school nurse at Hays High School.
While a lot of students have been experiencing symptoms from a cold virus this semester, Pollock said that most of their fevers are low grade and not the 100-plus fevers associated with H1N1.
That seems to be the case from high school age all the way down through preschool age children and toddlers.
"Not yet, but knock on wood," said Beth Fisher, health service coordinator for the Hays Area Children's Center, in reference to the center's absentee numbers because of illness this fall.
Schools Seeing More Kids Home Sick
Great Bend Tribune 9/30
With the first doses of the much-anticipated H1N1 flu vaccine scheduled to arrive in Barton County next week, Great Bend school officials are seeing swelling numbers of kids home sick and hearing from worried parents concerned about school closures.
?We?re fielding some questions,? said Tom Vernon, Unified School District 428 superintendent. However, he said, closing a building is only the last-ditch measure.
?We just want to dispel some rumors,? Vernon said. ?We?re not closing schools.?
This step would only be taken should the district have enough teachers out ill it couldn?t staff a building. And even then, school officials would consult with the Barton County Health Department first.
USD 418 Reports Confirmed Case of H1N1
McPherson Sentinel 9/30
According to local physicians, some children attending school in the McPherson USD 418 school district have confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu. According to a release from the district, USD 418 officials are in communication with the McPherson County Health Department to coordinate its response to this virus. The school is committed to following guidance provided by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
That guidance includes the following:
?Educate and encourage all students, staff and visitors to cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or with sleeve.
The Neosho County, Kansas Health Department director says close to 200 students were absent from Chanute High School on Tuesday.
Hospitals see flu surge
10/1 Hutchinson News
Hospitals in Newton and Liberal imposed restrictions against children visiting this week because of the rising number of suspected H1N1 flu cases showing up in their emergency rooms.
Though it has implemented no restrictions on visitation, Dodge City's hospital has also seen a significant influx of flu cases, officials there confirmed.
Great Bend see flu outbreak
10/1 ksn.com
GREAT BEND, Kansas ? It looks as if an H1N1 outbreak is hitting Great Bend. This week, nearly 200 students have missed classes in the public school district and making matters worse, a commonly used drug to treat the virus is running in short supply.
Empty desks are a common site across schools in USD 248 as seven percent of the district?s student population is out sick.
H1N1 Case Likely Here
Iola Register 10/1
A student at McKinley Elementary School has ?tested positive for Influenza A, which is likely H1N1,? Principal Lori Maxwell said in a letter sent home to parents Wednesday. A similar letter is being sent home today with students of Jefferson Elementary School, where another such case has been diagnosed, said USD 257 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Craig Neuenswander.
The cases will remain, officially, just Influenza A.
?The state of Kansas is not doing further testing unless someone is hospitalized,? said Diane Bertone, administrator at Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department. ?No matter which flu you get, they are all being treated the same,? Bertone said.
Neuenswander said that while the H1N1 vaccine has now reached the state, doses sized for children are not yet available. When they are, an evening clinic for all USD 257 elementary children will be conducted at Jefferson Elementary School. Iola?s middle and high school students will receive the vaccine during their regular school day. Until then, both the school district and the health department say parents should watch their children for signs of illness, and if they are running a fever, keep them home. Parents should remain home with their children if they do have the flu, said Public Health Nurse Wendy Froggatte, as fevers could spike quickly.
District policy this year is that a student must be fever-free, without medication, for at least 24 hours before returning to classes.
And everyone, said Bertone, should wash and wash and wash their hands.
Schools watching illness closely
Hays Daily News 10/1
There aren't necessarily more illnesses among local school children this fall.
It just might seem that way because the public is more aware of symptoms and precautions because of the H1N1 pandemic flu scare, said Jill Pollock, longtime school nurse at Hays High School.
While a lot of students have been experiencing symptoms from a cold virus this semester, Pollock said that most of their fevers are low grade and not the 100-plus fevers associated with H1N1.
That seems to be the case from high school age all the way down through preschool age children and toddlers.
"Not yet, but knock on wood," said Beth Fisher, health service coordinator for the Hays Area Children's Center, in reference to the center's absentee numbers because of illness this fall.
Schools Seeing More Kids Home Sick
Great Bend Tribune 9/30
With the first doses of the much-anticipated H1N1 flu vaccine scheduled to arrive in Barton County next week, Great Bend school officials are seeing swelling numbers of kids home sick and hearing from worried parents concerned about school closures.
?We?re fielding some questions,? said Tom Vernon, Unified School District 428 superintendent. However, he said, closing a building is only the last-ditch measure.
?We just want to dispel some rumors,? Vernon said. ?We?re not closing schools.?
This step would only be taken should the district have enough teachers out ill it couldn?t staff a building. And even then, school officials would consult with the Barton County Health Department first.
USD 418 Reports Confirmed Case of H1N1
McPherson Sentinel 9/30
According to local physicians, some children attending school in the McPherson USD 418 school district have confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu. According to a release from the district, USD 418 officials are in communication with the McPherson County Health Department to coordinate its response to this virus. The school is committed to following guidance provided by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
That guidance includes the following:
?Educate and encourage all students, staff and visitors to cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or with sleeve.