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Illness closes two local schools
By Dionna Harris
POSTED: October 20, 2009
ESCANABA -
A recent outbreak of influenza and other unrelated illnesses has forced the cancelation of classes for students in two local districts.
Rapid River School Superintendent Terri Mileski canceled classes for today and Wednesday due to a high rate of absenteeism within the district. Holy Name School is closed today.
"It is recommended that all students remain home during this time period to prevent the spread of illness in the Rapid River community and surrounding areas," said Mileski.
In addition to canceling school, all activities scheduled for tonight and Wednesday have also been canceled, added Mileski.
"While school is not in session, the high traffic areas will be disinfected in an effort to halt the spread," said Mileski.
Also closed today due to a high rate of absenteeism is Holy Name School, with 28 percent of its student body reportedly absent due to influenza or other illness.
Holy Name Principal Joseph Carlson said the decision to cancel classes today was made after consulting with officials at Public Health Delta-Menominee Counties and the superintendent of Catholic Schools.
"To my knowledge, none of these cases have been confirmed as H1N1," said Carlson.
Carlson also said while classes were canceled for today, maintenance staff would be throughly disinfecting the school including desks and chairs, and would also be opening windows to promote circulation of fresh air throughout the building.
Bark River-Harris School came close to canceling classes last week due to illness-related absenteeism, said Superintendent Russ Pirlot.
According to Pirlot, the Bark River School district appeared to peak the week of Oct. 12, when 110 or 15 percent of the 650 student body were reported to be home with either the flu or another contagious illness.
"As of Monday we appeared to be back in line with the expected 30 to 35 students absent due to illness," he said.
Pirlot said when most schools reach 25 percent of the student body absent in one day, it does not count as an actual school day.
Students attending Nah Tah Wahsh PSA in Hannahville at the beginning of the month were out nearly one week when approximately 25 percent of the students were unable to attend school due to illness.
Jennie Miller, immunization/communicable disease coordinator for Public Health Delta-Menominee Counties, said officials are seeing a high level of influenza-like illness throughout the community.
"It is early for seasonal strains of influenza, and we know the H1N1 virus is spreading," said Miller. "Right now the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not have a mandate in place for when schools should be closed.
There are no strict guidelines."
Miller said local schools were working in collaboration with Public Health to collect data concerning the number of students absent due to illness.
Once the data has been collected and tabulated, according to Miller, it will hopefully provide an insight into methods to prevent further outbreaks.
"Right now, we are asking people who are sick to stay home. A majority of people who are sick will recover at home. If there are underlying conditions such as diabetes or asthma, then perhaps they should visit their physician," said Miller.
Miller said for those people considered high risk, (underlying conditions) if their physician feels it is warranted, an anti-viral medication could be prescribed to treat the illness.
"The best way to prevent the spread is common sense," said Miller. "Wash your hands, don't touch your eyes or mouth, and basically if you feel sick - stay home."
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/515462.html
By Dionna Harris
POSTED: October 20, 2009
ESCANABA -
A recent outbreak of influenza and other unrelated illnesses has forced the cancelation of classes for students in two local districts.
Rapid River School Superintendent Terri Mileski canceled classes for today and Wednesday due to a high rate of absenteeism within the district. Holy Name School is closed today.
"It is recommended that all students remain home during this time period to prevent the spread of illness in the Rapid River community and surrounding areas," said Mileski.
In addition to canceling school, all activities scheduled for tonight and Wednesday have also been canceled, added Mileski.
"While school is not in session, the high traffic areas will be disinfected in an effort to halt the spread," said Mileski.
Also closed today due to a high rate of absenteeism is Holy Name School, with 28 percent of its student body reportedly absent due to influenza or other illness.
Holy Name Principal Joseph Carlson said the decision to cancel classes today was made after consulting with officials at Public Health Delta-Menominee Counties and the superintendent of Catholic Schools.
"To my knowledge, none of these cases have been confirmed as H1N1," said Carlson.
Carlson also said while classes were canceled for today, maintenance staff would be throughly disinfecting the school including desks and chairs, and would also be opening windows to promote circulation of fresh air throughout the building.
Bark River-Harris School came close to canceling classes last week due to illness-related absenteeism, said Superintendent Russ Pirlot.
According to Pirlot, the Bark River School district appeared to peak the week of Oct. 12, when 110 or 15 percent of the 650 student body were reported to be home with either the flu or another contagious illness.
"As of Monday we appeared to be back in line with the expected 30 to 35 students absent due to illness," he said.
Pirlot said when most schools reach 25 percent of the student body absent in one day, it does not count as an actual school day.
Students attending Nah Tah Wahsh PSA in Hannahville at the beginning of the month were out nearly one week when approximately 25 percent of the students were unable to attend school due to illness.
Jennie Miller, immunization/communicable disease coordinator for Public Health Delta-Menominee Counties, said officials are seeing a high level of influenza-like illness throughout the community.
"It is early for seasonal strains of influenza, and we know the H1N1 virus is spreading," said Miller. "Right now the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not have a mandate in place for when schools should be closed.
There are no strict guidelines."
Miller said local schools were working in collaboration with Public Health to collect data concerning the number of students absent due to illness.
Once the data has been collected and tabulated, according to Miller, it will hopefully provide an insight into methods to prevent further outbreaks.
"Right now, we are asking people who are sick to stay home. A majority of people who are sick will recover at home. If there are underlying conditions such as diabetes or asthma, then perhaps they should visit their physician," said Miller.
Miller said for those people considered high risk, (underlying conditions) if their physician feels it is warranted, an anti-viral medication could be prescribed to treat the illness.
"The best way to prevent the spread is common sense," said Miller. "Wash your hands, don't touch your eyes or mouth, and basically if you feel sick - stay home."
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/515462.html