5/1/2009 7:25:00 AM Two schools closed because of probable flu cases
Norfolk physician says time will tell the severity of outbreak
Over the decades he's been a physician, Dr. Michael Hindman has been through more than a few flu outbreaks.
Even so, the current H1N1 outbreak has him intrigued.
"It could turn out to be as huge as the 1919 flu pandemic or it could be nothing," said the owner of Norfolk's Urgent Care clinic.
The fact that it's moved into the United States so quickly, and in so many different parts of the nation, is an indication that what's commonly known as the swine flu may impact a large number of people before it runs its course, Hindman said.
Which means it's important for Northeast Nebraskans to regard the situation seriously and take the proper precautions, but also not blow things out of proportion, he said.
As of Friday morning, Hindman said that the clinic had not seen an increase in individuals coming in with concerns that they may have contracted the H1N1 virus.
"I expect that to pick up now that it's being reported that we have a probable case in Norfolk," he said.
The same was true as of Friday morning at the emergency department at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. There had been no increase in calls or visits, a hospital spokeswoman said, but that could change over the weekend.
Hindman said it's important for individuals to monitor possible flu symptoms and to keep in mind that anti-viral medications that are available are only effective if they're administered soon after the onset of symptoms.
"If you wait too long, they're pretty worthless," he said.
Generally speaking, individuals who have flu symptoms should respond with the normal course of treatment - get plenty of rest, drink lots of clear liquids and take ibuprofen for aches and fever, Hindman said.
By KENT WARNEKE and JERRY GUENTHER
It probably was only a matter of time, but the news late Thursday still came as something of a surprise to parents in Norfolk and Madison.
Classes were called off Friday at the Norfolk Middle School and all of the Madison school system because of probable cases of students having the H1N1 virus.
"We don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill, but do want to exercise prudence," said Dave Melick, Madison superintendent of schools. "Our focus is on the safety and wellness of our students and staff."
Marlene Uhing, superintendent of the Norfolk Public Schools, said that because health officials said there was a 95 percent chance that a Norfolk Middle School student had the H1N1 virus, calling off classes was the sensible decision to make.
"People should be paying attention, but they should remember that this is basically a precautionary move," she said Friday morning.
So instead of teaching math or social studies on Friday, custodial staff and faculty members spent time cleaning and disinfecting the school buildings.
"Everyone has been great," Uhing said. "There's a lot of ownership among the faculty and staff at the school, and everyone is pitching in."
The custodial staff prepared a disinfectant solution that is being applied to surfaces. All those involved in the cleanup effort wore masks and gloves as a precaution, she said.
Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday morning that there are three new probable cases of H1N1 flu in the state.
The first case of H1N1 was confirmed on Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control.
The new probable cases are boys between the ages of 5 and 18, and live in Madison, Pierce and Sarpy counties. None has been hospitalized. The boys are doing well and recovering.
The Pierce County boy is an option student who attends the Norfolk Middle School, said a Pierce Public School representative.
"Because of the geographical distance between cases, H1N1 is obviously in Nebraska and spreading," said Dr. Joann Schaefer, the state's chief medical officer. "I expect more cases. H1N1 is probably a virus that is here to stay."
Local health departments are investigating the three probable cases to determine and track contacts.
"In addition to the probables, we also have 31 tests pending at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory," Schaefer said. "Some of these cases may turn out to be new probables. This is an evolving situation."
In Madison, Melick said the decision was made to call of school in all grades because the student who is ill has a sibling in a different building.
"We believe it is logical to think the sibling may be contagious," he said.
In addition to not having classes Friday, all school activities throughout the weekend, including participation in the Mid-State Conference track meet on Saturday, have been canceled, he said.
"I want to emphasize that we are implementing precautionary measures and not intending to alarm anyone unnecessarily. We think that calling off school to provide some social distance between our students is going to help with stopping the spread of the virus," Melick said.
School was held as usual Thursday at Madison. Out of about 560 students in the grade school, middle school and high school, there were just 13 students who missed Thursday, which is a small segment, he said.
Custodians were already at work doing some extra cleaning Friday morning, and staff, on a voluntary basis, also were likely to do some cleaning in their own classrooms Friday, he said.
"Our intent is to disinfect each area where student or staff hands could have touched during this week," Melick said.
