Re: Price Elementary pupil dies - confirmed A/H1N1
Absences jump at school attended by Garland girl who died of swine flu
10:45 PM CDT on Tuesday, September 15, 2009
By KAREL HOLLOWAY / The Dallas Morning News
Dozens of students stayed home from Price Elementary School on Tuesday, more than four times the number absent the previous day as news spread that a sixth-grader at the school had died of swine flu.
Of the 87 who were absent Tuesday, 28 had flu symptoms, said Laura Jobe, a Mesquite school district spokeswoman. On Monday, about 20 students were absent, of which only a handful had flu symptoms.
Jobe said the district doesn't know if the other absent students were ill or if worried parents decided to keep them home.
"We don't have any way of knowing," she said.
Cynthia Garcia left school ill on Thursday and died Sunday, hours after being admitted to the hospital. She was the first child in Dallas County to die of swine flu and the first to die who didn't have a chronic health problem.
Cynthia also was the second Garland resident to die of swine flu, also called H1N1 influenza. Price Elementary is in Garland but part of the Mesquite school district.
Jobe acknowledged that the number of absences at Price was high, especially from those with flu symptoms. But "it's not alarming at this point," she said. The district has not discussed closing the school, which has about 550 students.
Dallas County health officials reiterated Tuesday that, while Cynthia's death is sad, it's not a sign that the swine flu is striking any harder.
But several residents who live near the school said they were concerned.
"We're all scared. We're petrified," said Susan Davis. She keeps children in her home, including several after school who attend Price.
She said even the toddlers were using hand sanitizer before coming in the house less than a block from the school. "I disinfected my door knob," she said.
The swiftness of the girl's death was particularly scary, Davis and other residents said.
Dr. Wendy Chung, the county's chief epidemiologist, would not comment on the specifics of Cynthia's illness. But she said studies have found that "it is not uncommon at all for it to be a very rapid course."
While the 11-year-old girl did not have an underlying medical condition, she did have a bacterial infection and pneumonia.
Chung said a recent study of 36 young people who died of swine flu found that two-thirds had a chronic health problem. A third had no underlying condition, but did have a bacterial infection that apparently began after the swine flu.
Cynthia had six brothers and sisters and all have been checked by a doctor, said her sister, Zuly Garcia.
"We're fine," the 14-year-old said softly Tuesday afternoon.
The family had just come from the funeral and was still gathered for support. Zuly said she misses her sister, "just being together."
Zuly said she didn't know when the children would go back to school. One of Cynthia's sisters goes to Price, two siblings go to North Mesquite High School and a brother attends Vanston Middle School. One sister graduated and another is too young for school.
Despite Cynthia's death, Chung said that not everyone with flu symptoms, even children, needs to see a doctor.
"What I didn't want was news of the death to have a great number of medical offices inundated with those with normal flu," Chung said. "Call your doctor first instead of heading to the ER."
Mesquite school officials, who had Price hand-cleaned over the weekend, said they handled the situation appropriately, sending Cynthia home after she fell ill.
The district sends children with a temperature home. School personnel decide to call parents based on other symptoms on a case-by-base basis, Jobe said.
Other districts including Richardson, Plano, McKinney and Allen said they are not making changes in school procedures because of the death.
The schools and health officials said the key to preventing the spread of the disease is keeping sick kids home. Students should be checked for fever or other symptoms at night or in the morning before heading to class.
"Use your parental instincts," Chung said.
Only those who seem particularly ill need prompt medical help. Signs to watch for include fast breathing, painful breathing, stomach pain, confusion or signs of dehydration.
"Even with my own child, I call my pediatrician," Chung said, "because I want another opinion."
Staff writers Emily Fox, Jessica Meyers, Valerie Wigglesworth and Jeffrey Weiss contributed to this report.
Non-swine flu shots
The Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services began offering children's flu vaccinations Tuesday. This vaccine does not protect against swine flu. Vaccine for that virus is expected in October.
Where: The shots are offered at the children's clinic in the health department's offices, 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway.
When: The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. No appointments are necessary.
Cost: $5
Others: Vaccinations are available for adults from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost is $20.
Who needs it: The vaccine is recommended for children and adults, especially those with chronic medical conditions.
SOURCE: Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services
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