Updated at 2:21 p.m., Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Unnamed private school in Hawaii has flu outbreak
Advertiser Staff
The state Department of Health is investigating a cluster of influenza illnesses reported from a small, unnamed private school on O'ahu in late August.Two students at the school, one in first grade and one in kindergarten, came down with influenza A, testing by the State Laboratories Division confirmed. A third child, who is a younger sibling of a student at the school, was also found to be positive for influenza A infection.
Several other children at the school were reportedly sick, including one with pneumonia, but specimens were not available for laboratory testing.
"These children were pretty sick, with high fevers, sore throat, and cough that kept some of them out of school for as long as a week" said Dr. Paul Effler, a state epidemiologist. "Fortunately, this appears to have been fairly limited, but it is a clear reminder that schoolchildren are at risk of getting sick from influenza viruses."
Parents of public and private school children have until Friday to turn in consent forms so students can receive free flu vaccinations.
"This is exactly the type of situation we hope to prevent with the 'Stop Flu at School' program through which children can get a free influenza vaccination at school beginning next month," Effler said. "We urge parents will take the time to read and return the consent form so we can get as many of Hawai'i's school kids protected as possible."
