School Officials Hoping To Avoid Flu-Fueled Closing

Despite only having a handful of confirmed cases of H1N1, superintendent Joe Oliver said that the district is assuming all of the current cases of the flu are H1N1. With current information from health organizations, however, Oliver said that the strain of flu is not the primary concern.

"It is very probable that these early flu cases are indeed H1N1, and we are assuming that to be the case," Oliver said on Wednesday morning. "But what we are being told from multiple medical providers is that, for an otherwise healthy person, the H1N1 symptoms are milder than the typical seasonal flu."

The district reported that since the beginning of the school year, there have been 85 cases of seasonal influenza Type A confirmed, but as of Tuesday afternoon, only six confirmed cases of H1N1. In order for H1N1 to be confirmed, the school district must receive documentation from a medical provider. The district, however, is not encouraging parents to have the test.

"The information that we have received is that it’s an expensive test, and the treatment is the same as it would be for the typical seasonal flu," Oliver explained.

The bigger concern for the district is whether or not to close the school due to the growing absenteeism. On Wednesday, the school district reported that 272 students were absent, for a percentage of 10.2. That was down from 12 percent on Tuesday.

Actual absentee numbers from the campuses on Wednesday were: High School, 75 of 818 enrollment; Junior High 26 of 543; Middle School 39 of 376; Woods Intermediate 65 of 589; and Primary 67 of 478.

"Ten percent is still high, and if the rate had continued to rise above 12 percent, we would have to consider closing," Oliver said. "But we expect the regular seasonal flu to hit us soon, so we think it is prudent to not be too hasty in closing the school, particularly in light of the information we are receiving from the TEA (Texas Education Association) and the Texas Department of Health.

"We will continue to evaluate as we receive more information. In addition to those two organizations, we are monitoring other area schools and the Region 10 service center. Our nurses are also staying in contact with area and regional health agencies."

Oliver added that state regulations require school districts to send out a letter informing parents of absences.

"In our current situation, our truant officer will be a little more lenient with notifications, but we are going to follow state regulations." Oliver added. "We would ask parents to call the school and let us know when kids are going to be out. Most of our parents do a good job of that, and it is helpful to us.

Regarding make-up work, Oliver said that the district has policies in place.

"Again, we want to follow our guidelines as closely as we can, but our teachers care about our kids, and will be willing to work with them as best we can."

Doug McBride, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, explained the early outbreak of the flu this year, as well as the difference in policy guidance from the spring.

"There was guidance from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) in the spring that suggested schools may want to close (due to the spread of H1N1)," McBride said. "As time has gone on, we have learned that this H1N1 virus overall does not cause a more severe flu than the seasonal flu we are accustomed to. It causes relatively mild to moderate cases.

"H1N1 never went away," McBride added. "It was discovered in late April, has continued through the summer, and didn’t die out. With the virus confirming to circulate through the summer, it was not unreasonable to expect it these earlier cases."

The Forney Pediatric and Medical Clinic, where some Wills Point students sought treatment, advised that anyone with the first sign of symptoms should go ahead and stay home and isolate him or herself.

In addition, the clinic advised covering the mouths when coughing or sneezing; washing hands often and well; staying out of public places as much as possible; and controlling fever with Tylenol.

The clinic also advised that that anyone with respiratory or other medical problems are more susceptible for serious illness, as well as patients under the age of two or over 60. Those persons should seek medical treatment immediately.

The clinic reported that Tamiflu is getting good results, but there is a nationwide shortage of the liquid Tamiflu Suspension. Tamiflu tablets are available.

The school district, as it does every school year, will provide vaccinations, but has no date as to when vaccines will be available.