Small Town News

Tis the flu season for precautions

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With 57 Willcox Elementary School students out due to illness Monday and one Willcox High School student hospitalized with the H1N1 virus last week, Willcox Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard Rundhaug said the district is "bumping up disinfectant efforts" at all of the schools.

"We've purchased all the Lysol from Ace and Sierra Lumber and bought almost everyone out of spray bottles," he said, which will be used for a bleach and water solution recommended for disinfecting by the Center for Disease Control.

"We've seen an increase in use of hand soap by the students, and we are purchasing more hand soap.

"We have also been very proactive in sending out letters to parents about what is going on and how to determine if your child should stay home and how long. We have even provided translations for letters from the county health department (into Spanish) for other county schools," Rundhaug said.

The number of students out sick at the elementary school Friday represents about 10 percent of its student body, said Susan Woods-Poire, Willcox School District nurse, adding that this is not as bad as three years ago when about 100 students from the elementary school were out sick.

She added that of the 57 students out Monday, one had pneumonia and two had colds, while the rest had flu symptoms.

Willcox High School had 21 students absent Monday due to illness and the Willcox Middle School had 24 out, Poire said.

Rundhaug said the county health department and the Centers for Disease Control recommend closing a school if 40 percent of the population is absent due to illness.

Poire said, "Keeping illnesses from spreading is easier when we keep students in school because we have more control. Teachers have students wash their hands often and cover their coughs, and we disinfect everything. Outside of school, there is no one telling kids at the store or the mall to wash their hands and cough into their arms." In a note home to students Friday, Poire said that there have been a few suspected, unconfirmed cases of H1N1 at the elementary school.

She adds, "We want to assure you that all necessary precautions are being taken at the school to prevent the spread of this sickness. All schools are being sanitized. The most important thing you can do is keep your child home if he Or she is ill. Each morning parents and caregivers should check their children for flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat. A few cases of HINI flu have begun with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea symptoms."

Poire continued, "If students are sent to school sick, parents will be called, and will be expected to pick their child up promptly. We must do this for the health of the sick child and the health of all the school. Parents may need to make alternate plans if they are unable to pick up the child promptly."

Rundhaug added, "We have been in contact with the County Health Department and we are confident we are being as proactive as we can be."

NCCH Northern Cochise Community Hospital is proactively trying to reduce the spread of any flu virus.

"Due to the National Flu Advisory and also for the safety and well being of our patients and residents, Northern Cochise Community Hospital and Northern Cochise Nursing Home are restricting visitors that are under 18 years of age," said Lineva Donahue, Community Relations Director/Public Information Officer at Northern Cochise Community Hospital.

Donahue said there have been two confirmed cases of H1N1 flu at NCCH; one was a patient from out of state.

Also, Northern Cochise Community Hospital is hosting its annual Drive-Through Flu Shot Clinic (for seasonal flu, not the Novel H1N1 vaccine) this Saturday from 8-11 a.m.

"Drive-through" route will begin on the corner of Rex Allen Drive and Bowie Avenue; through the Sulphur Springs Medical Center parking lot where all participants will receive their shot, then exit on Arizona Ave.

Sunsites Medical Center will also host a Drive-Through Flu Shot Clinic on Saturday from 1 - 4 p.m. Drive-through route will begin in front of the Sun-sites Medical Center located at 225 North Frontage Rd, Pearce / Sunsites.

"We will vaccinate people ages 9 and older," Donahue added.

No appointment is necessary. All vaccinations are $10 each.

Donahue said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov) is not advising that schools or businesses close if they have a suspicion or actual case, of the flu, as the virus appears to be no more dangerous then the seasonal flu. However, the dismissal and/or closure of schools remain the discretion of the local school and public health authorities, she added.

The Cochise County Health Department is recommending that anyone sick with a fever and with either a cough or sore throat should stay home for a minimum of seven days or 24 hours after symptoms are gone, whichever is longer, except to seek medical care. Also, the CDC has posted instructions on how to provide care for a sick person in your home, at http://www.cdc.gov/hlnlflu/gui dance_homecare.htm Donahue said, "Northern Cochise Community Hospital continues to be in contact with local healthcare providers, county and state health officials and is actively participating with the recommended surveillance and response activities."

Donahue listed recommended precautions and treatments: Precautions the public should take to avoid the spread of any viral infection:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol based hand gel.

2. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze

3. If you are ill, STAY HOME

4. If you are in contact with a sick person, use good hygiene, wash hands often, don't allow others to sneeze or cough on you.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

If you have the following flu- like symptoms, you may want ' to contact your local health care provider who will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed:

1. Fever

2. Runny nose or sore throat

3. Body aches

4. Vomiting and/or diarrhea 111 people who experience any of the following warning signs should seek, emergency medical help:

1. Fast breathing or trouble breathing

2. Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

3. Confusion

4. Severe or persistent vomiting

5. Sudden dizziness

6. Fever with a rash

7. Bluish-colored fingers "We ask that all community members take extra precautions to minimize their exposure to the influenza virus and observe the good hygiene precautions listed above," she said.

Frequently updated information about swine flu in the US can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine or call 1-800-cdc-info or www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/epi/f lu /swine/index.htm or call (602) 364-3676.



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© 2010 Arizona Range News Willcox, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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