Cannon County Schools Experience Increase In H1N1 Flu Cases



Cannon County Schools are experiencing an increase in H1N1 cases. However, there is no call for panic. Our numbers remain low compared to outbreaks in other counties. To date, school nurses have confirmed 33 cases. While many students included in this number have fully recovered and are back in school, most active cases are currently at Cannon County High School.

Some parents may have questions regarding the need to close schools due to a flu outbreak. The challenge for school officials is to balance health concerns and educational demands. School dismissal may be appropriate when normal functioning is impacted due to student and/or staff absences.

According to the CDC, the influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited. Once students leave for the day any viruses deposited on surfaces are no longer an issue upon the student’s return to school the following day. Therefore, students are most at risk during the school day while they are in close proximity to their peers. Cannon County Schools are working hard to remind students to keep themselves safe and healthy by following the recommendations below. Parents are urged to assist Cannon County Schools in this effort by teaching their children the following:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water and lather for 15 - 20 seconds.

• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose.

• The sick should stay home until fever free (without the aid of fever reducing medicines) and symptom free for a 24 hour period.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or “sneeze in your sleeve.”

• Wash hands after covering a cough or sneeze.

• Stay away from others if you are sick.

• Stay away from sick people.

• Build a healthy immune system by getting the recommended amount of sleep, healthy food, and physical activity.

Cannon County School System chose to release this information through local media to inform parents and the community at large in the timeliest manner possible. Please be advised that this information will be distributed in the form of a parent letter, however, schools cannot compete with the immediacy of online news as they attempt to distribute information to parents in print form. Students should be delivering parent letters by week’s end.

Parents are urged to contact the school immediately if their child is diagnosed with flu. Those with questions or concerns can contact Connie Foster, Director of Coordinated School Health, at connie.foster@ccstn.com or 615-563-5752 x 245.