Drexel R-IV plans for reemergence of flu virus

The H1N1 (swine) flu pandemic is likely to persist as a problem into the coming school year and that means school board members and administrators need to plan now for that possibility. That’s according to Marjorie Cole, a state school nurse consultant with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Drexel R-IV has done just that.
Cole made a presentation on managing a pandemic flu outbreak at the 2009 MSBA Leadership Summit.
Cole said the typical pattern for a flu pandemic is for a new virus to emerge in a mild form, then diminish, and later reemerge in a more serious form. While there have been only a handful of H1N1 flu cases in Missouri so far, it is possible the flu will make a strong comeback during the next school year. Cole has urged school boards and administrators across the state to think about policies for school closings and event cancellations in the event of a major flu outbreak. Earlier this year the Centers for Disease Control issued...
Read the complete story in the July 30th edition.