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Source: http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/break...289171243.html
Published: October 16, 2009 06:06 pm
SMCISD: Student dies of influenza complications
By Anita Miller
News Editor
San Marcos ? The San Marcos CISD is ?redoubling its efforts to encourage flu prevention? following the death this week of a student at Miller Miller School from complications associated with influenza.
?Our heartfelt prayers and best wishes go to the family and friends of the student,? said Mike Abild, assistant superintendent for business and support services. ?The entire San Marcos CISD family is grieving over his loss.?
The student died Wednesday, and on Thursday, a letter from Superintendent Patty Shafer was sent home with students.
?Let me assure you that the health and well being of our students is my top priority, and we are doing everything possible to address the situation,? she said in the letter.
The child suffered from pre-existing physical health conditions unrelated to influenza, the district said. "We are working closely with health officials to monitor the situation, and at this time, schools will remain open and operating normally," Shafer wrote.
?San Marcos CISD has implemented aggressive sanitation measures at all campuses since the start of school. District custodians are frequently disinfecting common areas such as hallways, lockers, doorknobs, keyboards, hand rails and school buses with recommended germicides,? the letter continued.
Abild said the district encourages parents and student to obtain seasonal flu vaccine and, once it becomes available, the vaccine for the H1N1 ?swine? flu.
?We?re aware the county is currently out of the seasonal vaccine but we understand some organizations like HEB, and most physicians? offices, still have vaccine,? he added.
Currently, authorities expect the H1N1 vaccine to be available sometime in early to mid-November.
In addition to the constant disinfecting, Abild said district personnel encourage ?frequent hand washing and coughing or sneezing into your elbow or disposable tissue.?
?The death of a student has an impact on students and staff,? Shafer wrote. ?School counselors are available to assist both students and staff members following such tragic events. Even if children are not in the same class, grade, or school, they can be affected. Please feel free to talk with one of our campus counselors should you have the need.?
She also encouraged parents to keep their child home from school ?if he or she shows any flu symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue, and contact your health care provider immediately.?
Shafer continued, ?Students who are ill should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications.?
The death is the first flu-related in Hays County this season.
Published: October 16, 2009 06:06 pm
SMCISD: Student dies of influenza complications
By Anita Miller
News Editor
San Marcos ? The San Marcos CISD is ?redoubling its efforts to encourage flu prevention? following the death this week of a student at Miller Miller School from complications associated with influenza.
?Our heartfelt prayers and best wishes go to the family and friends of the student,? said Mike Abild, assistant superintendent for business and support services. ?The entire San Marcos CISD family is grieving over his loss.?
The student died Wednesday, and on Thursday, a letter from Superintendent Patty Shafer was sent home with students.
?Let me assure you that the health and well being of our students is my top priority, and we are doing everything possible to address the situation,? she said in the letter.
The child suffered from pre-existing physical health conditions unrelated to influenza, the district said. "We are working closely with health officials to monitor the situation, and at this time, schools will remain open and operating normally," Shafer wrote.
?San Marcos CISD has implemented aggressive sanitation measures at all campuses since the start of school. District custodians are frequently disinfecting common areas such as hallways, lockers, doorknobs, keyboards, hand rails and school buses with recommended germicides,? the letter continued.
Abild said the district encourages parents and student to obtain seasonal flu vaccine and, once it becomes available, the vaccine for the H1N1 ?swine? flu.
?We?re aware the county is currently out of the seasonal vaccine but we understand some organizations like HEB, and most physicians? offices, still have vaccine,? he added.
Currently, authorities expect the H1N1 vaccine to be available sometime in early to mid-November.
In addition to the constant disinfecting, Abild said district personnel encourage ?frequent hand washing and coughing or sneezing into your elbow or disposable tissue.?
?The death of a student has an impact on students and staff,? Shafer wrote. ?School counselors are available to assist both students and staff members following such tragic events. Even if children are not in the same class, grade, or school, they can be affected. Please feel free to talk with one of our campus counselors should you have the need.?
She also encouraged parents to keep their child home from school ?if he or she shows any flu symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue, and contact your health care provider immediately.?
Shafer continued, ?Students who are ill should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications.?
The death is the first flu-related in Hays County this season.