Classes Canceled At SCUCISD This Week Due To Swine Flu
Extracurricular Activities Also Called Off
POSTED: Sunday, April 26, 2009
UPDATED: 4:33 pm CDT April 26, 2009
SAN ANTONIO -- The Texas Department of State Health Services on Sunday announced that all 14 schools and district facilities in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District will be closed effective immediately after several more flu-like illnesses have been discovered in the department's ongoing swine flu investigation.
The closure will be in effect for at least a week.
The announcement comes one day after health officials announced the closure of Steele High School, where two students contracted the disease and a third case was pending.
All extracurricular activities also were cancelled.
"We don't have lab confirmation for any of the additional flu-like illnesses yet, but we've found enough illnesses associated with some of the other schools that we believe it's prudent to close all of them before classes resume on Monday," said Sandra Guerra, a DSHS regional director and the public health authority for Guadalupe County.
School staff, faculty, students and their household members were urged to avoid contact with others, especially if they have symptoms of a respiratory illness.
Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing. Some with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Health officials urged the following precautions be taken to reduce the spread of any respiratory illness.
Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Anyone with questions about swine flu is urged to call DSHS at 888-777-5320.
Updated information related to closures at SCUCISD can be accessed by visiting the school district's Web site or by calling 210-619-4700 for recorded updates.
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Classes Canceled At SCUCISD This Week Due To Swine Flu - Health News Story - KSAT San Antonio