Outbreak of flu impacts local schools

*A limited supply of seasonal and H1N1 vaccine is available at the Vernon County Health Department.*

Students at El Dorado Springs R-2 School District are getting a break until Monday; the flu has taken a toll on attendance and the district closed the schools at 12:45 p.m., Tuesday.

"We've had a lot of kids staying home with the flu and it got to the point we decided to close," a spokesperson for the district said.

In Nevada R-5 schools, Superintendent Dr. David Stephens said the district's absenteeism rate is at about 9-10 percent (not all of whom are absent due to illness); and the district's policy is to close schools when the rate of absenteeism is 25 percent or greater.

The strain that is causing the problem appears to be the seasonal flu, not the H1N1 variety.

"It's just the plain flu," the spokesperson said. "We haven't had any swine flu."

Jeanie Baldwin, Vernon County Health Department, said that there have been two confirmed cases of H1N1 in Vernon County; but there could have been more.

"Most doctors are not testing for H1N1, it takes three to five days for results and our doctors are good and jumping right on it when they suspect the flu," Baldwin said.

Localized flare-ups are not uncommon.

Baldwin said her advice hasn't changed about what to do.

"This is the flu, if you get it make sure to drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, take Tylenol or ibuprofen if you have a temperature you can't control, or if it is hard to breathe or if you cough up colored sputum," Baldwin said. "Prevention is the same, too. Wash your hands often, or use hand sanitizer, cover your mouth when you cough and try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Try to avoid contact with sick people. If you do catch it stay home and limit your contact with other people."

The Centers for Disease Control recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.

There are two types of flu -- seasonal flu and H1N1 virus. A seasonal vaccine will not protect against H1N1.

The Vernon County Health Department does not have vaccine for seasonal flu at this time; however, those interested in obtaining a vaccine for seasonal flu should check availability with their health care provider.

There are three vaccines in the works for H1N1.

It is suggested pregnant women receive the Flu Virin vaccine, which is a preservative free inactivated virus injectable vaccine. The other injectable vaccine, Flu Zone, is an inactivated virus injectable vaccine suggested for people ages 3 and up who are not pregnant.

The health unit has received supplies of H1N1 nasal vaccine and expects to receive further weekly shipments. The vaccine they have is the Flu Mist vaccine, which is not recommended for pregnant women because it contains a live virus. It is used for children and young adults between age 2 and 25, caretakers under age 50 who take care of infants 6 months of age or less. People at greatest risk for H1N1 infection include children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease.