Local school districts are reporting an increase in the number illness-related absences and taking precautions against the H1N1 (swine) flu, while educating students on good hygiene habits, as well.
As of Sept. 10, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reported 723 confirmed cases of H1N1 (swine) flu in the state, with three deaths.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 9,079 hospitalizations and 593 deaths.
Although MSDH officials noted “it is not necessary for every person with flu-like illness to be tested for swine flu,” MSDH surveillance systems, based on confirmed cases, show “almost all of the influenza that is going around the state is the Novel H1N1 (swine) strain.”
“We”ve seen an increase in absences, yes,” said Lowndes County School District Superintendent Mike Halford. “But it”s not something we”ve been concerned to the point it would involve the closing of schools. Medical physicians did not advise closing of the schools. We”re taking precautions and educating the children, as far as washing their hands and following procedures we”ve been doing all year.
“Really, these are procedures we should be following as common practice,” he continued. “We hope we”re educating young people that they need to be aware of these dangers every day.”
Confirmed cases
Halford reported two confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu in the LCSD.
“The best part about children is a very, very large percentage of these children are healthy young people and they can withstand (a lot),” he said of LCSD students. “There are some students with physical disabilities, and we are extremely protective of those.”
“The Columbus School District has emphasized and will continue to emphasize the importance of the basic foundations of influenza prevention,” said Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Dr. Del Phillips, noting the CMSD is advising students to wash hands frequently with soap and water, cover their noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing or coughing into their elbows, and to stay home when sick.
Additionally, all CMSD buildings and classrooms are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected daily; hand sanitizer is available in all classrooms, soap and paper towel dispensers frequently are replenished and school nurses and teachers are educating students on steps to protect themselves and others.
School nurses are tracking and reporting absences due to flu-like symptoms and sending home students with fevers or flu-like symptoms, keeping them separate from other students until they are retrieved by parents.
The district also reports to the Mississippi Department of Education the number of students and staff absent due to flu-like symptoms.
Absences for flu-like symptoms
“Absentee numbers due to flu-like symptoms decreased slightly in most of our schools,” Phillips said, noting MDE defined flu-like symptoms as a fever of 100.4-degrees or higher and an additional symptom, like cough or sore throat.
“We are closely following all guidelines from the CDC, as well as our state department of education,” said Starkville School District Superintendent Judy Couey. “The guidelines are pretty straight forward and require only a bit more attention to surface sanitizing. We already use hand sanitizer dispensers throughout our schools and our parents provided adequate classroom supplies, (like tissue and hand sanitizer) for their children to use in individual classrooms.
“Teachers have taken on the extra step in making sure that children that show any signs of flu-like symptoms are sent to the nurse or office,” she added. “They are also regularly coaching our students on the proper way to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, to wash hands frequently and properly, and to keep their hands away from their face. As a district, we are keeping records of the number of staff members and students absent due to flu-like illness.”
Extra steps
“Our district has purchased Clorox wipes and sanitizer for all classrooms,” said Oktibbeha County School District Superintendent James R. Covington Jr. “Janitors are thoroughly cleaning rooms daily. If a suspected case of flu is reported, the sick child is removed and janitors are immediately dispatched to the room to disinfect the room in order to avoid the possible spread of germs.
“Our school nurses have been extremely busy with checking temperatures and seeing children with ailments,” he continued. “If a child displays flu-like symptoms, parents are contacted and those students have to leave school. As far as the number of cases of swine flu we”ve seen, it has been relatively minimum. I was told that officials are treating everyone for swine flu, if they display any flu-like symptoms.”
Despite repeated attempts, Clay County School District Superintendent Mae Brewer and West Point School District Superintendent Steve Montgomery could not be contacted for this story.
The H1N1 flu incidences also have brought about a collaborative effort from Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women.
Getting prepared
In an effort to cope with the H1N1 flu, the baccalaureate nursing program at Mississippi University for Women is hosting an informational meeting — Sept. 16 at 2:30 p.m. in Room 220 of MUW”s Martin Hall — for MUW faculty and staff.
Also, Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. nursing students will be in the lobby of MUW”s Hogarth cafeteria to distribute information on the H1N1 flu.
The community is invited to attend both sessions.
“Providing university students, faculty and staff with educational information on the detection, prevention and treatment of the H1N1 virus is an important endeavor on both campuses and will provide essential information to help prevent the spread of this virus,” said MUW Dean of the College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology Dr. Sheila Adams.
The CDC does not recommend school closures as an effective way to prevent seasonal or H1N1 flu in schools.
MSDH expects H1N1 flu vaccine locally to be available by mid-October.
The vaccine will be provided at all county health departments, participating private physicians” offices, community health centers, some pharmacies and other clinics, said MSDH officials, who also are working closely with day care centers, Head Start programs, schools, colleges and universities to ensure the availability of the vaccine for students.
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