Delaware State News
FELTON — Lake Forest North Elementary School has reported at least three students sick with swine flu since Monday.
"That is according to the parents," said district superintendent Dr. Daniel D. Curry.
According to a report issued by the Division of Public Health, physicians and parents do not have to report H1N1 cases to schools.
"Doctors aren’t obligated to tell us. Parents aren’t obligated to tell us," Dr. Curry said.
Dr. Curry said the school is treating the incident like it would any other where students are sick with the flu.
"When it comes to matters of the health, we yield to guidance from the Division of Public Health," Dr. Curry said. "The Division of Public Health tells us to treat it like any other flu. In other words, it’s no big deal."
Dr. Curry said many people don’t realize the initial push and scare of swine flu appears to have been downgraded.
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Delaware Public Health laboratory has confirmed 85 cases of H1N1 influenza in the state, up 24 since Friday.
None of the new patients have been hospitalized and all are recovering after mild symptoms.
The infected range in age from 3 to 16, and only six of the individuals are from Kent County.
In addition to the three Felton children, there are cases reported in Smyrna, Dover and Viola.
Dr. Curry said students of North Elementary were sent home with letters alerting parents of the reported swine flu incidents.
"We made sure the classmates were notified by personal phone calls," Dr. Curry said.
Since Monday, however, Dr. Curry was notified by the Division of Public Health that sending letters home is not recommended.
The Division of Public Health is also advising schools that closures because of reported H1N1 incidents are not recommended.
"No doubt we’ve had some parents who’ve chosen to keep kids home because they are scared," said Dr. Curry.
But Dr. Curry said the threat of swine flu is just as common at the grocery store, church or even baseball games.
"Are you also not going to go to Wal-Mart?" he questioned.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging schools to be diligent in maintaining a clean environment.
Dr. Curry said Lake Forest North Elementary has taken extra precautions with keeping the school disinfected, is encouraging frequent hand-washing and has waterless hand sanitizer available in all classrooms.
"We take our directions on these sorts of precautions from the Division of Public Health," Dr. Curry said.
"It is not that type of alarm to worry about it."
