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Source: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/ar...ws01/Seven-cases-of-H1N1-flu-in-local-schools
Seven cases of H1N1 flu in local schools
By KRISTEN CATES ? Tribune Staff Writer ? September 29, 2009
Contrary to rumors of an outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus in the Great Falls schools, Superintendent Cheryl Crawley reported Monday night that there have been seven confirmed cases of the virus in the schools so far this fall.
"We definitely have cases of H1N1 in our community," she said. "Great Falls Public Schools is working very closely with our health department."
Five of the reported cases have been students and two from staff.
Dick Kloppel, principal at C.M. Russell High School, said two of the students with confirmed H1N1 viruses attend his high school, but there has not been an "outbreak" of students missing from school.
"Our attendance staff has not come forward and said we have a lot of kids out," Kloppel said.
One of the students tested positive for the H1N1 virus before school started and the other student stayed at home along with their parents and siblings.
Because H1N1 has been reported in Cascade County, doctors are no longer required to test for the virus and send results to the Centers for Disease Control.
Kristi Gollik, spokesperson for the University of Great Falls, said one student and one staff member have also reportedly been stricken by the H1N1 virus. Both have taken extra precautions to stay away from campus while they are ill.
"At this point, we don't believe it's spreading," she said.
Complicating the fact is that this is the typical season for head colds and influenza, making it difficult to determine the difference between the regular strain of flu and H1N1, Crawley said.
According to information the school district has received, some of the symptoms of H1N1 include a rapid onset and a very high fever, 102 degrees or higher. The virus that causes the H1N1 lives for about two to eight hours on surfaces and under ideal conditions can live longer.
Therefore, Crawley reported to school trustees at Monday night's board meeting that district personnel have taken extra steps to clean classrooms and buses and to promote the use of hand washing and sanitizers.
In addition to that, she said athletic coaches are being vigilant about using sanitizers with students and athletic equipment, and the music staff has implemented procedures for keeping instruments cleaned and sanitized.
Crawley said rumors have spread that the school district is requiring a doctor's note from students who may have the H1N1 virus before they can return to school. Another rumor is that the district is requiring students to stay out seven days from school if they feel sick.
Those rumors are not true, she said. The district is simply asking parents to keep kids out of school or come pick up their students from school if they have a fever and not to let them return to school until 24 hours after the fever has dropped or fever-reducing medicines are no longer used.
Information is available on the school district's Web site about determining a student's symptoms. Go to www.gfps.k12.mt.us to see charts.
Reach Tribune Staff Writer Kristen Cates at 791-1463 or kcates@greatfallstribune.co
Seven cases of H1N1 flu in local schools
By KRISTEN CATES ? Tribune Staff Writer ? September 29, 2009
Contrary to rumors of an outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus in the Great Falls schools, Superintendent Cheryl Crawley reported Monday night that there have been seven confirmed cases of the virus in the schools so far this fall.
"We definitely have cases of H1N1 in our community," she said. "Great Falls Public Schools is working very closely with our health department."
Five of the reported cases have been students and two from staff.
Dick Kloppel, principal at C.M. Russell High School, said two of the students with confirmed H1N1 viruses attend his high school, but there has not been an "outbreak" of students missing from school.
"Our attendance staff has not come forward and said we have a lot of kids out," Kloppel said.
One of the students tested positive for the H1N1 virus before school started and the other student stayed at home along with their parents and siblings.
Because H1N1 has been reported in Cascade County, doctors are no longer required to test for the virus and send results to the Centers for Disease Control.
Kristi Gollik, spokesperson for the University of Great Falls, said one student and one staff member have also reportedly been stricken by the H1N1 virus. Both have taken extra precautions to stay away from campus while they are ill.
"At this point, we don't believe it's spreading," she said.
Complicating the fact is that this is the typical season for head colds and influenza, making it difficult to determine the difference between the regular strain of flu and H1N1, Crawley said.
According to information the school district has received, some of the symptoms of H1N1 include a rapid onset and a very high fever, 102 degrees or higher. The virus that causes the H1N1 lives for about two to eight hours on surfaces and under ideal conditions can live longer.
Therefore, Crawley reported to school trustees at Monday night's board meeting that district personnel have taken extra steps to clean classrooms and buses and to promote the use of hand washing and sanitizers.
In addition to that, she said athletic coaches are being vigilant about using sanitizers with students and athletic equipment, and the music staff has implemented procedures for keeping instruments cleaned and sanitized.
Crawley said rumors have spread that the school district is requiring a doctor's note from students who may have the H1N1 virus before they can return to school. Another rumor is that the district is requiring students to stay out seven days from school if they feel sick.
Those rumors are not true, she said. The district is simply asking parents to keep kids out of school or come pick up their students from school if they have a fever and not to let them return to school until 24 hours after the fever has dropped or fever-reducing medicines are no longer used.
Information is available on the school district's Web site about determining a student's symptoms. Go to www.gfps.k12.mt.us to see charts.
Reach Tribune Staff Writer Kristen Cates at 791-1463 or kcates@greatfallstribune.co