Five H1N1 cases in Carol Stream schools

Carol Stream Elementary District 93 officials say they have been told of five confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza virus in the past two days.

The students' symptoms have not moved beyond typical flu-like symptoms and the district has sent letters to parents of students in the three affected schools, said Carole Ellermeier, community relations coordinator. Also, two suspected and one confirmed case were reported in Downers Grove High School District 99.

Ellermeier said the flu victims include two students at Heritage Lakes Elementary School, two at Cloverdale Elementary School and one at Jay Stream Middle School.

With a newly created reporting system, which asks schools throughout the county to notify the DuPage County Health Department daily of absences related to flu-like symptoms, Ellermeier said schools hope to avoid the panic that surfaced in the spring.

"People are a bit more educated about what H1N1 truly is," she said.

Schools throughout the country, including about 20 in the Chicago area, closed in the spring after the new strain of influenza surprised experts by its appearance near the end of flu season. Last week, the death of 14-year-old Naperville North student Michelle Fahle was blamed partially on H1N1.

But county health department spokesman David Hass said he doesn't expect closures this fall.

"They were literally closing so they could completely clean the buildings," he said. "What the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) told us is that is not necessary. We are recommending schools try to stay open."

In August, health officials met with DuPage County school superintendents to plan what steps to take in preparation for the virus's return.

Along with the reporting system, the county asked each district to develop a pandemic preparation policy to be implemented if things got out of hand. Glenbard High School District 87, for instance, plans on approving its new policy next month. Its measures include safety training of staff, close cooperation with health officials and a succession plan in case board members or administrators are unable to fulfill their duties.

DuPage County currently offers the nasal spray at its four public health centers in Wheaton, Addison, Lombard and Westmont.

The first round of vaccinations will go to people in what the department calls "priority groups," such as pregnant women, younger people, health care providers and those with underlying conditions such as diabetes or asthma. Residents should call the H1N1 hotline at (630) 221-7600 to arrange for the vaccination.

"All health agencies and other organizations, including schools, need to be proactive to keep as many people as healthy as possible," Hass said.