Area schools report various flu outbreaks
It starts with a cough or an ache. And before you know it, you're sick.
It's that time of year again when someone from every family, office, and classroom experiences an illness.
Some call it the flu, even though technically it is not.
There has been one confirmed case of the flu in Marion County.
Deidre Serene, Marion County Health Administrator and nurse for USD 410, reported a Hillsboro Elementary School student had been diagnosed one to one and one-half weeks ago with influenza A .
"Doctors are not required to report influenza," Serene said, "so there may be more cases out there that we're not aware of."
Serene was familiar with this case because it occurred under her watch.
"Letters were sent home to parents," she said.
USD #408
On Jan. 16, 46 students or 15 percent were sick and out of school at Marion Elementary School.
By the next day, attendance had significantly increased, said school officials.
During that period, Marion Middle School and High School did not have a significant number absent due to illness.
"You have to remember we have four to five percent out sick on a regular day," said Lee Leiker, superintendent of Marion-Florence USD 408.
Staff and faculty members remained healthy for the most part, said Leiker, with no significant sick leave taken during that period.
Ken Arnhold, principal of Marion High School, complimented the staff for keeping the facility as germ-free as possible.
"The custodial staff does a great job of cleaning high-contact areas," said Arnhold. He noted that the phones that students use is the "most germ-infected item in town."
Leiker added that the high absenteeism did not warrant discontinuing classes.
"We have closed school in the past but this was so short-lived, it did not warrant it," he said.
USD #410
Even though HES had the first reported outbreak of the influenza, school officials reported there were no excessive absences due to illness except on Friday, when there was a significant number of kindergartners absent.
Hillsboro Middle School also reported no significant outbreak.
However, Hillsboro High School principal Dale Honeck said there had been quite a few students absent and a significant number of staff were home sick.
USD #398
In Peabody, teachers and, students so far have managed to "dodge the bullet."
Mary Brown, principal of Peabody-Burns Junior and Senior High School, said she did not have exact numbers, "but if someone were to run them, I imagine about five percent of staff and/or students are sick at any given time."
Brown said there was absenteeism due to flu symptoms, but it seemed to be stretched out over time rather than swamping students and staff all at once.
At Peabody-Burns Elementary School, officials said four students were sent home Monday with flu-like symptoms.
Other ailments in PBES have been pink eye, strep throat, fever, and vomiting.
USD #411
At Goessel Elementary School, there was one day since the beginning of the year when 14 students were out sick. There have been two or three days where there have been 10 and 11 absent.
Goessel Junior High and High School hasn't been as hard hit with four or five out at a time.
USD #397
When school officials at Centre schools were contacted, they reported there were no significant absenteeism due to illness.
How to avoid the flu
Proper and frequent hand washing with soap and warm water is extremely important.
Stay home from school or work when sick.
Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
