Kalamazoo Public Schools faces major flu outbreak

Western Herald - news









Illnesses are no stranger to students, but on Friday, Feb. 24, Kalamazoo Public Schools had to cancel school for the safety and health of its students.











 






When 1,900 students were absent from class, went home sick, or complained of feeling ill the Thursday before, KPS had to consult with Kalamazoo County’s Health Department to decide if school on Friday would be in the best interest for the school district and its students.





 





The decision was made and KPS sent students home with a letter from Kalamazoo County Health Department regarding the flu to help students and parents make sure they were staying healthy and promoting a healthy community. Some main components of the letter included six steps on how to tell if children are sick, how to contact the school regarding a student illness and how to have a clean and healthy home. Since Friday, the schools have reopened and students are continuing to show back up for class.





 





“We have had flu/virus outbreaks from time to time in the past. We made the decision to close Friday on the day before based on the aforementioned numbers and a consultation with our county health department,” KPS Executive Director of Communications Alex Lee said.





 





In order to prepare for outbreaks, KPS shares hygiene tips with students and parents. Lee said.





 





The letter sent home with students shared some of these hygiene tips. For example, the letter stated that students and staff had symptoms including “nausea, dry cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, chills, headaches, body aches, and possibly diarrhea and vomiting,” and noted that parents should “disinfect doorknobs, faucets, sinks, counters and keyboards.”





 





With such a widespread illness in the community, some Western Michigan University students could be wondering if they will be affected by this as well.





 





Sheneeka Skinner, nursing supervisor and administrator of flu shots at WMU’s Sindecuse Health ...


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