Swine flu closes Vernon school

Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 30, 2009 4:00 PM

A Vernon elementary student has the Okanagan’s first case of the swine flu. As a result, Beairsto Elementary, where the unidentified student attends, has been closed for today and for all of next week. Dr. Andrew Larder, senior medical health officer for Interior Health Authority, announced via conference call late Thursday afternoon that IHA had its first lab-confirmed case of the swine influenza. “The symptoms were, again, as has been seen with the other cases in Canada, mild influenza-like illness,” said Larder. “There was no need for hospitalization and the person is recovering well from the infection.” The student had been back at school for a week after returning with family from a trip to Mexico, where the virus is believed to have originated perhaps in early March. Larder said IHA was informed of the Vernon case Wednesday night and worked closely with the school to plan its response to the case.The doctor added it was the Ministry of Education who made the decision to close the school for a week.

“We are advising parents and children who attend this school, as we are advising everybody else in this circumstance, that if they develop influenza symptoms, particularly fever and cough, that they isolate themselves and treat the symptoms at home,” said Larder. “They should have good respiratory etiquette, close their mouth when they cough or sneeze, and wash their hands frequently. Interior Health encourages everyone to wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their nose, mouth or hands with unwashed hands. Larder said parents of Beairsto students should monitor their children. “See if they develop symptoms, see if they begin running a fever, but we don’t know the extent of the risk associated with this case being in the school,” he said. “That’s one thing we will be keeping an eye on over the next week, to see what evidence there is that there may have been other cases associated with this.” Vernon School District superintendent Bob Peacock said the district will be keeping a close eye on the situation. “We’ll be in constant contact with Interior Health on where we’re going next,” said Peacock. The district has asked Beairsto’s staff members to stay away from the building today. The school is home to approximately 540 students and nearly 30 teachers and support staff.Larder said IHA is asking the school district to monitor its other schools and report a high number of absences, as they would during flu season.