Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

http://newsminer.com/news/2009/aug/20/f ... er-cough-/

FAIRBANKS — Eight children in the Fairbanks School District’s secondary schools called in sick because of flu-like symptoms this week

The eight students attend Randy Smith Middle School, Ryan Middle School and West Valley High School.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A staff member at West Valley High School in Fairbanks reportedly has the H1N1 swine flu virus.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10975789

West Valley High School e-mailed families Saturday, advising parents to monitor their children for symptoms and to take precautions not to spread the disease.

KTUU reported Anchorage schools also are sending parents a letter this week warning them of symptoms and prevention methods.

Anchorage School District superintendent Carol Comeau said the district had some flu cases when football practice started at West and Bartlett high schools.

Health department officials say there are more than 400 confirmed cases of swine flu in Alaska.
http://www.adn.com/life/health/story/909909.html

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New story on Fairbanks Schools.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District says more than 200 students have been absent with flulike symptoms and there are at least 35 confirmed cases of swine flu....

http://www.adn.com/life/health/story/915064.html

Hope I did this correctly - never posted before

Yes, the best stories are those that say how many are absent with flu-like symptoms.

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The Fairbanks school district will provide shot clinics with swine flu vaccine to all willing students and staff in the district, the school district’s head nurse said on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District reported it was aware of at least 35 confirmed cases of swine flu among students and staff. Only two of those cases are staff members.

An additional 223 students have been absent because of flu-like symptoms, and district officials said there could be more swine flu cases going unreported.

“Parents are not necessarily required to tell us why their child is absent,” district spokesman Bill Bailey said.

Since Aug. 20, approximately 1,350 students have complained of flu-like symptoms to their school nurse. The majority of those students were sent home, though not all were diagnosed with swine flu, said Maureen Kauleinamoku, the district’s head nurse.

“This is not typically when we see the flu,” Kauleinamoku said.

Flu season typically occurs during winter. In Alaska, that can be anywhere from October to April. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, fever, sore throat, congestion and body aches.

It’s not only the season of infection that is new for the district but also the scale of infection.

“It is a pandemic that is very unique, and we have not been in a pandemic situation for some time,” she said.

The last time a pandemic flu swept through the United States was in 1968 when the Hong Kong flu killed approximately 33,000 people in the United States and roughly 1 million people worldwide.

http://newsminer.com/news/2009/aug/28/f ... ict-battl/

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A case of swine flu has been confirmed in a student at Sitka’s Mount Edgecumbe High School. At least 40 other students at the state-run boarding school are also reporting
flu-like symptoms.

Ed Ronco, KCAW – Sitka
http://aprn.org/2009/09/04/swine-flu-co ... umbe-high/

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A 10-year-old boy who attended Hunter Elementary School has died from symptoms of probable swine flu, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

A school nurse sent the child home around noon on Thursday with flu symptoms and the child was admitted to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital overnight. The child was later transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage and died Friday eventing.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the student,” said Fairbanks North Star Borough Superintendent of Schools Nancy Wagner. “This is truly a tragic incident and a tragic day for one of our families. We will continue to work closely with the Department of Education and Early Development and the Department of Health and Social Services to monitor flu conditions so we can make the best decisions about student health and safety.”

Acting state Public Health Director Deborah Erickson said, "Although most people who get H1N1 flu have a mild illness and quick recovery, this death is a sobering reminder that it can be a serious illness. We all need to pay attention and do what we can to help reduce the spread of the virus."

http://newsminer.com/news/2009/sep/05/f ... swine-flu/

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Apparently keeping schools reduces the spread of the virus.

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I am not a doctor, virologist, or any of type of medical/life sciences professional.

I am a layman with a background in the physical sciences.

Map of Fairbanks area including one recent death prior to child above.

http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/flu/gma ... 625&zoom=9

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