CNN
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Lots of of scholars missed class Monday at a northern Virginia highschool the place “numerous college students have examined optimistic for influenza A” and others have signs in line with the flu.
The variety of college students who stayed residence from Stafford Excessive Faculty in Fredericksburg dropped from about 1,000 Friday to 670 on Monday, officers mentioned.
Stafford County Public Faculties spokesperson Sandra Okay. Osborn mentioned the college has undergone a deep cleansing and disinfecting as officers seek for solutions.
“We’ve investigated the water fountains and meals service, and don’t imagine there’s a connection between both of these companies and these sicknesses,” Osborn mentioned in an announcement.
Osborn mentioned the Virginia Division of Well being recommends retaining the college open.
Officers did cancel sports activities video games towards different faculties by way of Tuesday. However actions reminiscent of homework, check make-up, golf equipment and athletic practices may be held, Osborn added, saying the choice was reached after consulting the well being division.
The Rappahannock Space Well being District mentioned it’s working with faculty officers to analyze a attainable illness outbreak.
“The varsity has reported that numerous college students have examined optimistic for influenza A, and extra are exhibiting respiratory and gastrointestinal signs in line with the flu,” officers mentioned in an announcement.
Stafford Excessive Faculty has an approximate enrollment of two,100 college students, Osborn has mentioned.
An early improve in seasonal flu exercise has been reported in a lot of the US, with the nation’s southeast and south-central areas reporting the best ranges of flu nationwide as of Friday, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Faculty districts elsewhere within the US have additionally reported an uptick in flu-like signs amongst college students. Not less than two excessive faculties within the San Diego Unified Faculty District had excessive charges of absences this month, with one faculty recording about 1,000 absences out of two,600 college students, a faculty spokesperson instructed CNN.
Flu exercise within the US usually begins to extend in October and normally peaks between December and February, in accordance with the CDC’s web site.
