By Bill Robinson
A Madison Central High School student is Madison County’s latest case of H1N1 virus infection, also known as swine flu, according to the health department.
A news release from the school district Monday said the student has been home “recovering and doing well since symptoms” appeared.
County schools were in session Monday, and MCHS Principal Gina Lakes informed parents of the situation in a voicemail message at 3:30 p.m.
Upon learning that a student had developed swine flu symptoms, Lakes said the school’s custodial staff immediately began disinfecting its buildings – including door knobs and drinking fountains.
Such precautionary action will continue for the week and a half that school will remain in session, she said.
Similar actions began district-wide as soon as officials learned of a link between the system and an H1N1 infection, said Erin Stewart, district spokesperson. School buses as well as buildings were disinfected, she said.
Since the first outbreak of H1N1 virus in Kentucky, the county school district’s nursing staff has been on a heightened level of symptomatic awareness, Stewart said.
“They are encouraging students and staff who feel ill and in particular those with a fever and sore throat or cough to stay home for seven days, in accordance with the health department’s recommendation,” she said.
“Those who feel ill have also been encouraged to seek treatment.”
School nurses are following health department recommendations by monitoring those who are ill and checking for symptoms consistent with an H1N1 viral infection. The nursing staff is encouraging students and staff to practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly and not sharing food or drinks.
“The district will continue to be as vigilant as it has been since the H1N1 virus made its way to Madison County,” Stewart said. “The district will also continue to work closely with and follow the recommendations of the health department.”
The school district and health department are in communication on a regular basis to monitor the potential spread of the virus and to protect the community from illness, Stewart said.
According to information provided by the health department, there is no indication the novel H1N1 flu virus is any more serious than the more familiar seasonal flu.
To avoid an H1N1 illness, the health department recommends the same precautions that would be taken to prevent a conventional flu infection during the winter months.
Those are:
• Watching children closely for flu-like symptoms, which include fever and one or more of the following: cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
• Keeping children at home if they are ill. Adults should stay home from work if they are sick.
• Encouraging children to wash hands thoroughly and often.
• Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you don’t have soap and water.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the crook of the arm. Flu is most commonly spread through coughs and sneezes.
Stay informed by visiting www.cdc.gov/H1N1 or www.healthalerts.ky.gov.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.
