News
H1N1: Virus spreading along
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| Proper way: Ashton Estrada shows the proper way to cough, as health officials explain that coughing into the sleeve is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs this flu season. (Thelma Grimes/Photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
The H1N1 virus is in Cochise County and spreading fast, causing county health and school officials to worry.
To date, schools in Huachuca City and Sierra Vista have been forced to shut down due to the flu. Pima County warned its employees that if they come to work sick, they could face termination.
Benson and the San Pedro Valley also have a number of cases of the virus.
Ron McKinnon, the chief executive officer of Benson Hospital, said last week that the emergency room had about 21 cases, and of those 15 were teenagers.
McKinnon said they suspect it's the swine flu because every case tested positive for influenza A, which is a sign of swine flu.
Barbara Carmichael, the hospital's infection control nurse, said many of the patients are complaining of fever, cough and a sore throat.
"As a whole, it's really not a harsh form of the flu," Carmichael said. "But, it does seem to be spreading and a person can be contagious up to 24 hours before they even start showing symptoms."
To prevent the spread of seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus, Benson Hospital has already implemented some social guidelines for patients, visitors and employees.
The hospital will not allow visitors under age 15, since the H1N1 virus is spreading rapidly through the teenage population.
Also, the hospital said anyone arriving at the hospital with fever, cough, sneezing, body aches, sore throat, chills, vomiting, or diarrhea is encouraged to ask for a mask.
Countywide, Health Director Vaira Harik said there are now too many cases of H1N1 to count.
"Right now if they have the flu, it's most likely H1N1," she said. "This flu seems to be attacking teenagers, and really infecting the younger ages. That is what's happening nationally."
Because the flu is striking the younger teens hard this season, school and health officials are pleading with parents to be responsible and keep sick children at home.
"We know there have been cases where parents have knowingly sent their children to school when they are sick," Harik said. "They do this because it affects their schedules and they want to go to work. But, you just can't do that. You have to be responsible, and as a parent, prepare accordingly."
Many schools, including Benson and St. David, have sent letters home telling parents that if students are sick, especially with a fever, they will be isolated and sent home immediately.
However, despite pleas, the H1N1 is spreading at a rapid rate, and while exact figures are not being kept, schools are reporting a high absentee rate.
For Benson, it started earlier this month, when high school Principal Bryan Bullington said they had more than 30 students out sick. So many members of the football team missed school one Monday that practice had to be canceled.
Since then, however, Bullington said attendance rates have increased, going from 12 percent to seven.
As a district, Superintendent David Woodall, said Benson's elementary, middle and high schools have an average of 12 percent of the student population absent each day.
Kate Mueller, superintendent of St. David School District, said prior to fall break last week, the absentee rate in the elementary school was at 4 percent and the middle and high school rate was at 11 percent.
"It has begun to affect our middle and high school numbers, but so far not for elementary," she said. "We were hoping that having this week off will help but we will not know for certain until we return to school next week."
Harik said sick students will not be readmitted to school until they have had no fever for at least 24 hours.
Health officials ask that the public be cautious this season, and as usual wash hands often, cover the mouth when coughing and if sick, most of all, stay home.
The H1N1 virus is in Cochise County and spreading fast, causing county health and school officials to worry.
To date, schools in Huachuca City and Sierra Vista have been forced to shut down due to the flu. Pima County warned its employees that if they come to work sick, they could face termination.
Benson and the San Pedro Valley also have a number of cases of the virus.
Ron McKinnon, the chief executive officer of Benson Hospital, said last week that the emergency room had about 21 cases, and of those 15 were teenagers.
McKinnon said they suspect it's the swine flu because every case tested positive for influenza A, which is a sign of swine flu.
Barbara Carmichael, the hospital's infection control nurse, said many of the patients are complaining of fever, cough and a sore throat.
"As a whole, it's really not a harsh form of the flu," Carmichael said. "But, it does seem to be spreading and a person can be contagious up to 24 hours before they even start showing symptoms."
To prevent the spread of seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus, Benson Hospital has already implemented some social guidelines for patients, visitors and employees.
The hospital will not allow visitors under age 15, since the H1N1 virus is spreading rapidly through the teenage population.
Also, the hospital said anyone arriving at the hospital with fever, cough, sneezing, body aches, sore throat, chills, vomiting, or diarrhea is encouraged to ask for a mask.
Countywide, Health Director Vaira Harik said there are now too many cases of H1N1 to count.
"Right now if they have the flu, it's most likely H1N1," she said. "This flu seems to be attacking teenagers, and really infecting the younger ages. That is what's happening nationally."
Because the flu is striking the younger teens hard this season, school and health officials are pleading with parents to be responsible and keep sick children at home.
"We know there have been cases where parents have knowingly sent their children to school when they are sick," Harik said. "They do this because it affects their schedules and they want to go to work. But, you just can't do that. You have to be responsible, and as a parent, prepare accordingly."
Many schools, including Benson and St. David, have sent letters home telling parents that if students are sick, especially with a fever, they will be isolated and sent home immediately.
However, despite pleas, the H1N1 is spreading at a rapid rate, and while exact figures are not being kept, schools are reporting a high absentee rate.
For Benson, it started earlier this month, when high school Principal Bryan Bullington said they had more than 30 students out sick. So many members of the football team missed school one Monday that practice had to be canceled.
Since then, however, Bullington said attendance rates have increased, going from 12 percent to seven.
As a district, Superintendent David Woodall, said Benson's elementary, middle and high schools have an average of 12 percent of the student population absent each day.
Kate Mueller, superintendent of St. David School District, said prior to fall break last week, the absentee rate in the elementary school was at 4 percent and the middle and high school rate was at 11 percent.
"It has begun to affect our middle and high school numbers, but so far not for elementary," she said. "We were hoping that having this week off will help but we will not know for certain until we return to school next week."
Harik said sick students will not be readmitted to school until they have had no fever for at least 24 hours.
Health officials ask that the public be cautious this season, and as usual wash hands often, cover the mouth when coughing and if sick, most of all, stay home.
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