Schools take precautions for H1N1 virus

GRAND BAY, Ala. - Sick children are being sent home left and right from one Mobile County Middle School. All of this coming on the heels of a confirmed case of Swine Flu. The school system is encouraging everyone, to safeguard yourself by washing your hands. Parents are also asked to keep sick students home.

John Jackson isn't normally at Grand Bay Middle School in the middle of the day, yet his daughter is sick and she's being sent home.

"I'm hoping it is just symptoms of a sore throat," said Jackson.

Turns out it was just a summer cold."Yes, the doctor said it is just a sore throat, not the flu," said Jackson.

And not the H1N1 virus, better known as the swine flu.

The virus has been confirmed at Eichold Mertz Elementary, but school officials won't say if it's showing up at other schools.
Much to the dismay of parents.

"I would want to know if someone from my child's school had something contagious especially if a whole cluster. Send out a memo and let parents know," said Jessica Degeer.

Degeer got a call from Grand Bay Middle to come pick her son up, because he's running a fever.

"He's says everything hurts, he has a headache and has a cough. There are about four other kids in the school waiting to be picked up," said Degeer.

Degeer is heading straight for the doctor, and her son must stay out of school for at least 24 hours. The same goes for Jackson's daughter.

School officials said the best way to fight the spread of any virus is to practice healthy hygiene habits.

School spokesperson, Nancy Pierce said surgical mask are to be placed on sick students and staff until they exit the building.

"The nurse will hand those out. They are to be worn by students waiting to be picked up," said Pierce.

Pierce said not every school has a school nurse, and that the mask were being given out on Monday. Pierce says keeping illnesses of any kind in check requires the help of everyone, it isn't just a school thing.

Mobile County Public School leaders said they can't reveal the names of the other schools where swine flu has been confirmed, because they don't have that information.

Neither the Center for Disease Control or the Health Department has ever officially notified the school system of confirmed cases of H1N1 virus including Mertz.

But schools are asking parents to keep their children home if they are sick.