Swine Flu Precautions in Place for Start of School Year

"If they get sick in the schools they will be isolated in the schools so they don’t give it to other kids while they are there.” ~State Epidemiologist Dr. Mary Currier, right

Schools across the state are urged to stay open even in the event of an H1N1 flu outbreak. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

“We know that we’ve had flu in the schools.”

There have been 365 confirmed case of swine flu in Mississippi. State Epidemiologist Dr. Mary Currier is anticipating a new surge of the H1N1 virus as children return to class this week. That's why schools are being asked to adhere to strict guidelines to help fight the potentially deadly disease.

“We know some schools in the past have not had soap and paper towels. They need to have an ability to wash their hands. Parents need to know if they get sick in school they are gonna be sent home. And if they get sick in the school they will be isolated in the schools if they get sick in the schools so they don’t give it to other kids while they are there.”

Just last week health officials confirmed that a Jackson County child had become the state's first death related to complications of swine flu. That has Renae Martin, district school nurse in Clinton reiterating the new guidelines to everyone.

“I’ve been putting out posters from the Mississippi State Department of Health ah, just informing parents or anybody that would come into the building about washing their hands and ah cover your coughs and sneezes and just stay at home when you are sick.”

In general officials say all schools will remain open during an H1N1 outbreak . But if large numbers of students become ill Dr. Currier says that could warrant closures and voluntary vaccinations.

“We hope to hire folks in our health department districts on contract to work uh, with schools to do those vaccinations. You know schools are such a great place to transmit a respiratory illness like this that, that should be one of the first places we work on as far as giving out vaccines.”

Currier says they first round of vaccinations would go to those most at risk which includes, the very young, the elderly, the chronically ill and pregnant women. For MPB news, I'm Lawayne Childrey.