RSOE EDIS: USA - Epidemic Hazard - 2010.02.27

RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service Budapest, Hungary RSOE EDIS ALERTMAIL

2010-02-27 04:10:10 - Epidemic Hazard - USA EDIS CODE: EH-20100227-25092-USA Date & Time: 2010-02-27 04:10:10 [UTC] Area: USA, State of Florida, Charles E. Bennett Elementary School, Green Cove Springs Number of Infected person(s): 125 Not confirmed information! Description: An unusually high absentee rate at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School in Green Cove Springs entered its third day Friday, with about 125 students out sick with an apparently stomach flu-type ailment. On Wednesday and Thursday, more than 100 students either stayed home or were sent home after showing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly a low grade fever, said Darlene Mahla, spokeswoman for the Clay County School District. On a typical day, only 25 or so students are out sick. Some teachers and staff have gone home sick as well. The number of students absent Friday equals about 16 percent of the school's enrollment, according to Principal Evelyn Chastain, who has remained flu-free. "As of this moment, I'm fine," she said Friday morning. The Clay County Health Department is monitoring the situation, but so far have chalked up the illnesses as a "typical" bug that crops up around the state this time of year, said Connie Wolfe, the agency's communicable disease nurse. Students and adults who are sick should not return to school or work until 24 hours after symptoms subside, she said. Earlier returns put other people in jeopardy of catching the bug. Most area cases last 1-2 days, Wolfe said. "Stay home if you're sick," she said. "Most people get over it pretty well." Still, Chastain took "extra precautionary measures" including an additional surface wipe down each day in classrooms and in common areas such as computer labs, restrooms and the cafeteria. Mahla said. The Health Department's Wolfe commended Chastain, she said is "on top of" the situation. "The school is doing great, doing exactly what they need to do," Wolfe said. The name of Hazard: Stomach flu-type ailment Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly a low grade fever Species: Human Status: Suspected Posted:2010-02-27 04:10:10 [UTC] Please DO NOT reply to this message: replies may be treated as errors and result in your subscription being deleted. If you have trouble or other queries, send email to havaria@rsoe.hu RSOE EDIS is operated by the National Association of Radio-Distress Signalling and Infocommunications (RSOE), Budapest, Hungary. Because of the complexity of this system and its dependence on other systems, we cannot be responsible for delays or failures in forwarding or transmission. You're receiving this AlertMail because you subscribed for the service. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Contact: havaria@rsoe.hu