Los Angeles Suspected swine flu outbreaks reported at 4 schools

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L.A. NOW

Suspected swine flu outbreaks reported at 4 schools

September 25, 2009 | 7:00 am

Suspected swine flu outbreaks have occurred at several schools in Los Angeles County since classes began earlier this month, according to the county Department of Public Health.

Health officials declined to name the schools because of privacy concerns, but spokeswoman Sarah Kissell said outbreaks, defined as at least five suspected H1N1 virus infections, have occurred at two elementary schools, a high school and a university.

?We had expected when schools would open up [that] we would start seeing an increase in flu-like illnesses,? Kissell said.

In addition, two infections occurred last week at Camp Paige, a county juvenile probation camp in La Verne.

Young people are particularly susceptible to contracting the virus, and are on the priority list to receive a vaccine when it becomes available next month. H1N1 is highly contagious, but symptoms tend to be mild in healthy people.

Unlike last spring, officials do not plan to close schools if there is an outbreak. Instead, they are urging prevention ? washing hands frequently, sneezing into the elbow instead of the hand and getting the vaccine when it becomes available. Ill children should be kept home to avoid spreading the virus to their classmates, and can return to school once they are fever-free for 24 hours.

?Seema Mehta


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...-grade-schools-a-high-school-and-college.html

 

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Re: Los Angeles Suspected swine flu outbreaks reported at 4 schools

Source: http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/dpp/health/dpgo_Swine_Flu_Outbreaks_Found_LA_Schools_20090925_3700667

Swine Flu at Los Angeles Schools
Question: Who notifies the public about outbreaks?

Updated: Saturday, 26 Sep 2009, 11:49 AM EDT
Published : Friday, 25 Sep 2009, 11:21 AM EDT

* By: myFOXla.com Web Staff
* Video from: FOX 11 News
* Reporter: Phil Shuman
* Posted by: Scott Coppersmith

Los Angeles (myFOXla.com) - Suspected swine flu outbreaks have occurred at several schools in Los Angeles County since classes began earlier this month. County Department of Public Health officials declined to name the schools because of privacy concerns.

Rosemont Middle School in La Crescenta is taking a different approach. The school district sent out letters and automated phone calls to let parents know about a number of cases there.

Daniela Masatani / Parent:
We've gotten at least 3 notification with letters and with phone messages.

Kathy Fundukian PhD / Assistant Superintendant, Glendale Unified School District:
"We want them to know we've got nothing to hide is the first thing. It's in our community."

Doctors at the county's public health headquarter say flu outbreaks... H1N1 or not... are just too common be notifiying parents or the public every time, so they leave it up to the schools as to how they want to handle it.

Dr. David Dassey / LA County Public Heath Department:
"Why would we announce things that are basically a collection of five kids with runny noses? That makes no sense to me."

Dr. David Dassey says he understands the concern, but...

"Parents know there's a situation going on. The kids know. Wwho else would need to know that information anyway?"

Phil Shuman / FOX 11 News:
"What about the public if there was an event or people were going?"

Dr. David Dassey / LA County Public Heath Department:
"Once again, the school is responsible for its own activities."

So, basically, it's up to the schools to form their own plans on how they want to deal with spreading the word.

David Shaw / Parent:
''I think it's fine. I think they're doing best they can with this.''

The idea is to keep parents, children and the public informed within reason without overreacting.

Young people are particularly susceptible to contracting the virus and are on the priority list to receive a vaccine when it becomes available next month.