By Bob Belcher

Daily Sun



Influenza — both seasonal and some confirmed H1N1 cases — is among the illnesses making the rounds in Navarro County, and prompting letters from schools and flu shot clinics throughout the area.

Only “10 to 20 confirmed H1N1 cases” have been officially reported to the Navarro County Health Department, said Emily Carroll, director of nursing. But many more cases with flu-like symptoms are being reported by physicians, clinics and at the health department, Carroll said.

The state no longer classifies H1N1 Influenza as a “reportable” illness, and no longer runs tests on every positive Influenza A result, Carroll said. But the treatment regime — and many of the symptoms — for both Influenza A and H1N1 are the same, and many of the Influenza A cases are being treated as H1N1, or Swine flu.

None of the Navarro County schools contacted Wednesday by the Daily Sun are seeing unusually large numbers of absences. But both Mildred and Corsicana ISD officials say many of the absences are for flu-like symptoms.

“We’ve seen a small increase in absences over last year,” said Rob Ludwig, CISD spokesman. “Many of those are for sinus infections, flu or flu-like symptoms.” Ludwig did not cite any specific numbers of confirmed cases of H1N1. The district sent out information letters to parents last week with tips to help students stay healthy, encouraging frequent hand washing.

While the Mildred Independent School District reported 65 absences on Wednesday, Becky Burns, assistant superintendent, said that number is not “one to be alarmed about.” But like the CISD, Burns said the majority of the illnesses being reported were for flu or flu-like symptoms.

Burns said the district has been pro-active in preparing for regular seasonal flu and H1N1 by placing hand sanitizer lotion in classrooms and the school’s cafeteria, and regular cleaning and disinfecting of common areas.

“I can’t say enough about the job our staff is doing,” she said, adding the district was going above suggested standards in cleaning procedures for fighting infections.

Students at school with flu-like symptoms are given face masks to wear and kept isolated from other students until they are picked up by parents, she said.

In Rice, illness isn’t much of a problem, said Judith Pritchett, superintendent, reporting only about 8 absences at the elementary school, and 18 at the junior/senior high school.

“We are seeing a little increase in the junior and senior high,” she said, but added that none of the illnesses have been confirmed as H1N1 Influenza. Hand sanitizer lotion is also used in the classrooms, and staff does regular cleaning of common areas and doorknobs, she added.

Kerens ISD Superintendent Kevin Stanford reported much the same in his district, with no increase in absences and no confirmed cases of H1N1 reported. He said staff members at the school are provided flu shots at no cost, and also have adopted a pro-active approach to preventing disease.

“It’s basic education,” he said, “trying to encourage kids to wash their hands, cough into their elbows.” He also encouraged parents to keep their kids at home if they are running a fever, often a symptom of flu or flu-like illnesses.

“No alarming numbers, nothing more than normal,” said Frost Superintendent Jim Revill. The district also uses hand sanitizing lotion in classrooms, and provided flu shots for staff members. Revill said there were very few reports of flu-like illness in the Frost schools.

Calls left Wednesday for comment from Blooming Grove and Dawson school officials were not returned by press time.

Immunizations for seasonal Influenza are available daily at the Corsicana Health Department at 618 North Main, Carroll said. The H1N1 Influenza vaccine is scheduled to be distributed to health care providers around mid-October, although its initial use will be for people in “high risk” groups for complications from Influenza.

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On the net:

www.cdc.gov

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Bob Belcher may be contacted by e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story?