Schools prepared if flu hits home

FISHERSVILLE — There are no confirmed cases of swine flu in local schools, but officials said Friday they are taking all precautions by informing parents of preventive measures and holding weekly conference calls with state health officials.

“We are taking this seriously and working with state and federal health officials,’’ Staunton Schools Superintendent Steven Nichols said at a news conference at the Augusta County Schools offices.

The superintendents said, should there be an outbreak of swine flu in any of the three area school districts, they would consult with the Virginia Department of Health about whether to close a school or schools.

“We’ll work with Dr. [Doug] Larsen. He is the triggerman,’’ said Augusta County Schools Superintendent Gary McQuain, referring to the health director of the Central Shenandoah Health District. “He will tell us whether to close a school, schools or an entire division.”

The superintendents are sending letters home to the parents of students outlining the symptoms of the illness and common-sense preventive measures such as frequent hand-washing and staying away from others who are sick.

The superintendents are also tracking the illnesses of employees and the traffic to school clinics by students.

McQuain said it is important for parents to keep children home from school if they are sick. And he also advises keeping children out of situations where they may be exposed to large crowds.

The three area school districts share common programs such as the Central Shenandoah Governor’s School and Valley Vocational Technical Center. Because they do work together, all three districts will regularly communicate about swine flu, also known as H1N1 Influenza A, the name being used by the World Health Organization.

“We are committed to sharing information so none of us are blindsided,’’ Waynesboro Schools Superintendent Robin Crowder said.

Crowder said it is hoped, because the flu broke out at the end of the flu season, that there will “less and less” of the virus as the summer weather heats up. 

Steven Mosher, who chairs the pandemic influenza planning committee at Mary Baldwin College, said the school’s crisis response team of approximately 14 people met Wednesday. MBC also has a Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan posted on its Web site, which was developed following the outbreak of avian flu several years ago. MBC also is coordinating with other independent colleges around the state to share information.

Mosher, a professor of political science and director of the Health Care Administration program at MBC, said the plan is reviewed and updated every six months. While not dismissing the current situation, Mosher pointed out that far more people die of seasonal flu. Though the size of the current outbreak is relatively small, he said the average age of those coming down with swine flu is 16.

“It’s typically a younger population,” Mosher said of the current outbreak. “And that’s why we’re concerned on campus because we’re a younger group.”