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Absences up as H1N1 spreads
By Chris Michlewicz
An outbreak of the H1N1 virus has emptied classrooms and ratcheted up demand for the first rounds of the vaccine.
Academy Charter School in Castle Rock reported a 36-percent absence rate Oct. 6, with 29 percent of those children exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
Based on the spread and timing of the illness, officials with the Tri-County Health Department believe it is H1N1, or swine flu. One parent reported a positive test for H1N1 after taking their child to a private clinic, said Dr. Richard Vogt, executive director of the health department.
“We think there is a problem within this school,” he said.
The Douglas County School District is reporting absence rates of between 20 and 30 percent at as many as 60 schools. The normal absence rate is about 6 percent. Administrators have sent letters to parents informing them of the increase in absences, and urging them to be vigilant in identifying flu-like illnesses in their children.
ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch was recently hit with a flood of absences, and those cases are also being attributed to H1N1. A student at the school tested positive, and many samples that are being sent to state laboratories from schools, nursing homes and prisons are turning up positive for the potentially deadly flu.
“It’s H1N1 until proven otherwise,” Vogt said. “It’s turning up in these tests, and we’re not seeing as much seasonal flu.”
The school district decided against closing ThunderRidge and Academy Charter. Absence rates skyrocket after letters go out to parents, but then decrease within a few days, said Susan Meek, interim communications director for Douglas County schools.
Vogt surmised that some parents are keeping healthy students home from school to reduce their risk of catching the virus. He believes the message to use extra caution has reached parents, although it is not recommended that they keep healthy kids out of school.
“Since it’s impossible to test everyone, they should err on the side of caution,” Vogt said.
The health director is advising parents to keep up-to-date on upcoming vaccination clinics once the H1N1 vaccine, which was released to the public Oct. 6, is in the area. Most schools have tentative dates for receiving a shipment of the vaccine, Vogt said.
The first doses, in the form of nasal sprays, are being reserved for healthcare professionals who treat dozens of patients and are at risk of becoming infected and passing the virus along. The vaccine might not be widely available for another two to three weeks. Until then, people should distance themselves from those who are sick and wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus.
Severe cases have been common among those 25 and younger, but more people between the ages of 25 and 64 are becoming seriously ill, Vogt said, adding the schedule for distribution of the vaccine is slower than anticipated. When asked if there was a chance that people in Douglas County might be hospitalized or possibly die from H1N1, Vogt said it is “certainly possible.”
H1N1 is affecting such a large age range, that “half of the country” is categorized in the at-risk group, he said. Orders for the vaccine are climbing as the government tries to get it out to the most impacted areas.
“The vaccine is coming as quick as it can happen, but we have nothing in hand or in the state,” he said.
The vaccine is essentially the same as a seasonal flu shot with a slight modification, and was deemed safe after a series of controlled clinical trials. The H1N1 strain has mutated very little and the vaccine has been effective in getting rid of the virus. Vogt said even those who are feeling better but have not received a shot should still get one.
Schools are using a revised reporting system to track the number of flu cases.
Academy Charter principal Yvette Brown has been in contact with Paulette Joswick, head of student wellness for the school district. Joswick also regularly discusses the best procedures with Tri-County Health officials. Cleaning protocols for schools have also been ramped up, Meek said.
For more information on H1N1, visit www.tchd.org/flu.htm or call the Tri-County health line at 877-462-2911.
Academy Charter School in Castle Rock reported a 36-percent absence rate Oct. 6, with 29 percent of those children exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
Based on the spread and timing of the illness, officials with the Tri-County Health Department believe it is H1N1, or swine flu. One parent reported a positive test for H1N1 after taking their child to a private clinic, said Dr. Richard Vogt, executive director of the health department.
“We think there is a problem within this school,” he said.
The Douglas County School District is reporting absence rates of between 20 and 30 percent at as many as 60 schools. The normal absence rate is about 6 percent. Administrators have sent letters to parents informing them of the increase in absences, and urging them to be vigilant in identifying flu-like illnesses in their children.
ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch was recently hit with a flood of absences, and those cases are also being attributed to H1N1. A student at the school tested positive, and many samples that are being sent to state laboratories from schools, nursing homes and prisons are turning up positive for the potentially deadly flu.
“It’s H1N1 until proven otherwise,” Vogt said. “It’s turning up in these tests, and we’re not seeing as much seasonal flu.”
The school district decided against closing ThunderRidge and Academy Charter. Absence rates skyrocket after letters go out to parents, but then decrease within a few days, said Susan Meek, interim communications director for Douglas County schools.
Vogt surmised that some parents are keeping healthy students home from school to reduce their risk of catching the virus. He believes the message to use extra caution has reached parents, although it is not recommended that they keep healthy kids out of school.
“Since it’s impossible to test everyone, they should err on the side of caution,” Vogt said.
The health director is advising parents to keep up-to-date on upcoming vaccination clinics once the H1N1 vaccine, which was released to the public Oct. 6, is in the area. Most schools have tentative dates for receiving a shipment of the vaccine, Vogt said.
The first doses, in the form of nasal sprays, are being reserved for healthcare professionals who treat dozens of patients and are at risk of becoming infected and passing the virus along. The vaccine might not be widely available for another two to three weeks. Until then, people should distance themselves from those who are sick and wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus.
Severe cases have been common among those 25 and younger, but more people between the ages of 25 and 64 are becoming seriously ill, Vogt said, adding the schedule for distribution of the vaccine is slower than anticipated. When asked if there was a chance that people in Douglas County might be hospitalized or possibly die from H1N1, Vogt said it is “certainly possible.”
H1N1 is affecting such a large age range, that “half of the country” is categorized in the at-risk group, he said. Orders for the vaccine are climbing as the government tries to get it out to the most impacted areas.
“The vaccine is coming as quick as it can happen, but we have nothing in hand or in the state,” he said.
The vaccine is essentially the same as a seasonal flu shot with a slight modification, and was deemed safe after a series of controlled clinical trials. The H1N1 strain has mutated very little and the vaccine has been effective in getting rid of the virus. Vogt said even those who are feeling better but have not received a shot should still get one.
Schools are using a revised reporting system to track the number of flu cases.
Academy Charter principal Yvette Brown has been in contact with Paulette Joswick, head of student wellness for the school district. Joswick also regularly discusses the best procedures with Tri-County Health officials. Cleaning protocols for schools have also been ramped up, Meek said.
For more information on H1N1, visit www.tchd.org/flu.htm or call the Tri-County health line at 877-462-2911.
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