May 6, 2009 8:29 am US/Pacific
Fairfax H.S. Student Believed To Have Swine Flu
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
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A nurse vaccinates senior citizens against Influenza on May 3, 2009 in Bogota, Colombia.
CBS
A Fairfax High School student is the Los Angeles Unified School District's first probable case of swine flu, officials announced Tuesday.
The school will remain open based on recommendations from the district's director of medical services, the county department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control, Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines said.
The CDC said school closure was not advised for a suspected or confirmed case, especially since district officials say there is no increase in faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school.
However, United Teachers Los Angeles President A.J. Duffy says the district should close the school for a few days to guard against the potential spread of the disease.
"It is foolhardy of the Los Angeles Unified School District to disregard the health and safety of students, teachers, school staff and the community," Duffy said.
School district officials will continue to monitor for signs of illness among Fairfax students and staff. Cleaning of common areas and classrooms have been increased. Letters were sent and automated telephone calls were made to parents and staff members, the district's Gayle Pollard-Terry said.
There are 11 confirmed cases and 12 probable cases in Los Angeles County of what officials are now calling new flu A H1N1.
None of those diagnosed with the newfangled virus in Los Angeles County has been hospitalized, according to local public health officers, who have reported that the disease is similar in strength to the regular seasonal flu.
Montclair College Preparatory School in Van Nuys was closed on Monday after a student at the private school developed a possible case of the disease. The school will reopen on Thursday, Head of School Mike McDonnell said.
In Long Beach, where five cases were reported, public health officials said school closures would be considered if there was a rise in absenteeism, particularly one caused by students out sick with a influenza-like illness.
Statewide, 99 cases of the disease have been confirmed across 16 counties, with a further 119 cases listed as "probable," according to the California Department of Public Health.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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