HISD Prepares for Swine
Reported August 05, 2009
HOUSTON – Swine Flu is spreading faster than ever, even at a time when there is usually no flu at all. It’s in so many places, the World Health Organization has given up trying to track it.
HISD’s Health and Medical Services Director, Evelyn Henry, says school leaders will use the lessons they learned earlier this year when dealing with swine flu in the Fall.
The virus is almost certain to resurface at area schools. No one knows how it will react or spread when kids are back inside classrooms, but Henry is preparing for a resurgence.
“We want to be sure this flu is not more serious or more virulent than the one we saw at the end of the last school year.”
In the next few days Henry will meet with city health leaders to talk about specific plans.
The Houston Health Department didn’t want to reveal those plans publicly just yet, but recently tweeted, “School age children will be a key target population for flu vaccine in Fall. They may be vaccinated at school.”
A swine flu vaccine isn’t expected to be available until mid October, weeks after students return.
“I know there is talk about school vaccination clinics at the school. If those are recommendations, we’re going to cooperate in every way possible,” said Henry.
How to keep children out of overcrowded emergency rooms and what to do if one student gets the bug are issues that still need to be discussed, but already Henry is warning parents to delay the start of school if their children are showing flu like signs.
Source : www.myfoxhouston.com