By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager
In light of continuing experience and knowledge about the severity and spread of the Swine Flu virus, San Juan County Health Official Dr. James, in partnership with local school administrators, have modified the school closure policy in the County.
As of today, May 7, schools will remain open even if a probably case of Swine Flu is identified. “With this decision there is an added responsibility to make sure that any ill children stay home, and we are working with the schools to make sure that happens,” said Dr. James.
In separate instances last week, a private school and a summer camp on Orcas both announced precautionary 7 days closures after children became ill with flu-like symptoms.
There are still no cases of influenza among San Juan County residents that are classified as “confirmed” or “probable” cases of Swine Flu. On May 6, the state department of health reported a total of 49 cases of the disease (9 confirmed and 40 with a high probability) in Washington: 29 in King County, 17 in Snohomish County and one each in Pierce, Skagit and Spokane Counties.
To date none of the cases in Washington have been serious enough to require hospitalization.
There currently is no vaccine against swine flu, however the County Health and Community Services Director John Manning says there is an adequate, readily available local supply of antiviral medications that are effective in treating symptoms of the disease. Those anti-virals will be prescribed by local physicians for people suffering from influenza.
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