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Swine flu-related school absences worst in Barbour County, Jasper systems, officials say
Posted by Marie Leech -- Birmingham News August 27, 2009 2:42 PM
Categories: Breaking News
So far, the Birmingham metro-area schools haven't been hit as hard as south Alabama schools by swine flu, but officials warn that soon will change.
At a state Board of Education work session today, state school Superintendent Joe Morton and Dr. Don Williamson, state health officer, updated the board on the novel H1N1 virus and what schools can expect.
"We are seeing over 200 cases per week confirmed, which means there are thousands of unconfirmed cases each week," Williamson said. "Where we're seeing more than 10 percent absenteeism rates is around Mobile and Montgomery."
Morton provided the board with a school absentee report taken over a five-day period ending Tuesday. According to the report, Barbour County had the highest absentee rate at 14.7 percent, followed by Jasper city schools at 11.9 percent. The highest rates in Jefferson County are Trussville city schools at 6.8 percent and Fairfield city schools at 6.6 percent.
"It's important to note that we are at the front end of this," Williamson said. "We are not anywhere in the middle or end."
Williamson and Morton also told board members they are expecting the first round of swine flu vaccinations Oct. 15 and will coordinate with school nurses to make schools "mass vaccination clinics." Morton said the program will be voluntary and require parents' permission.
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/08/swine_flurelated_school_absenc.html
Posted by Marie Leech -- Birmingham News August 27, 2009 2:42 PM
Categories: Breaking News
So far, the Birmingham metro-area schools haven't been hit as hard as south Alabama schools by swine flu, but officials warn that soon will change.
At a state Board of Education work session today, state school Superintendent Joe Morton and Dr. Don Williamson, state health officer, updated the board on the novel H1N1 virus and what schools can expect.
"We are seeing over 200 cases per week confirmed, which means there are thousands of unconfirmed cases each week," Williamson said. "Where we're seeing more than 10 percent absenteeism rates is around Mobile and Montgomery."
Morton provided the board with a school absentee report taken over a five-day period ending Tuesday. According to the report, Barbour County had the highest absentee rate at 14.7 percent, followed by Jasper city schools at 11.9 percent. The highest rates in Jefferson County are Trussville city schools at 6.8 percent and Fairfield city schools at 6.6 percent.
"It's important to note that we are at the front end of this," Williamson said. "We are not anywhere in the middle or end."
Williamson and Morton also told board members they are expecting the first round of swine flu vaccinations Oct. 15 and will coordinate with school nurses to make schools "mass vaccination clinics." Morton said the program will be voluntary and require parents' permission.
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/08/swine_flurelated_school_absenc.html