H1N1 virus hits Gages Lake school

A student at Woodland Elementary East in Gages Lake has been hit with a confirmed case of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as the swine flu.

Woodland District 50 officials say they learned of the case from the Lake County Health Department Wednesday afternoon and informed parents through an instant alert phone system Wednesday night.

"We would just encourage all our families to keep children home if they are sick and follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control," said Joy Swoboda, superintendent of schools for District 50.

The school will remain open, as the CDC and the Lake County Health Department do not recommend closure for schools with a confirmed case of the virus.

Staff at Woodland Elementary East are taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus, such as using a bleach solution to sanitize common areas like handrails and desktops.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there are 40 confirmed cases and two probable cases of the H1N1 virus in Lake County.

The Lake County Health Department recommends that people with flu-like symptoms stay home for seven days after the symptoms start. If the symptoms, such as a fever, coughing and sore throat, persist after seven days, the individual should remain home for at least 24 hours after the symptoms recede.

"(Woodland District 50) should continue observing their absenteeism, contact us if they notice anything unusual such as if their normal absenteeism increases," said Victor Plotkin, epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department. "They need to continue doing what they're doing, keeping the parents informed and keeping the faculty and staff informed."