Swine Flu UPDATE:100 Schools Close In The US Because Of The Swine FLu Epidemic

Swine Flu UPDATE:100 Schools Close In The US Because Of The Swine Flu Epidemic. As of Wednesday, April, 29, 2009, those schools include at least 74 elementary, junior high and high schools have closed across America, because of confirmed or probable cases of swine flu, according to the Department of Education.

Department of Education spokesman Massie Ritsch stated that another 30 schools have closed as a precautionary measure because of the H1N1 virus.

The closures include both public and private schools across eight states of the U.S. Affecting about 56,000 students out of the estimated 55 million students attending the nation’s 100,000 kindergarten through the 12th grade.

Massie Ritsch also stated that some of the schools that were closed have already reopened.

On Wednesday, April, 29, 2009, United Statres, President Obama, called on schools with confirmed or possible swine flu cases to “strongly consider temporarily closing so that we can be as safe as possible.”

Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated Wednesday that, “everyone involved in schools needs to “pitch in and do our part to prevent the spread of this flu virus.”

“Use the same common sense and courtesy that you would use during winter flu season: Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, and stay home if you are sick,” Duncan said.

The Education Secretary said, “the department is closely monitoring the flu outbreak and urged schools to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

“Do what is appropriate for the health of your communities, your schools and your students,” Duncan said.

Department of Education officials and experts from the CDC held a conference call Monday, April 27, 2009, with more than 1,700 people from national education associations, state school offices, individual schools and school districts.

The Department of Education emphasized the need for “common sense” preventative measures among students and faculty in school facilities, an official said.

Education officials also stressed the need for people showing any flu like symptoms to stay away from school and called on administrators to report any suspected or confirmed cases to local public health authorities as well as the Department of Education.

If a school has a confirmed case of swine flu, the CDC recommends closing the facility for about seven days and I am sure that the children that are not ill will love that!

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