USD 422 released a text alert Monday afternoon informing patrons of the Greensburg/Mullinville school districts that K-8 classes were being cancelled Tuesday through Thursday of this week due to an outbreak of flu in Kiowa County. Grades 6-8 students of both communities attend classes in Mullinville this year, while K-5 students would normally be in class in Greensburg. Greensburg High School students will continue to attend school all three days.
USD 422 Superintendent Darin Headrick told The Signal Tuesday morning that “nearly 50 percent” of the K-8 student body was out sick Monday, prompting him to consult with County Health Nurse Mitzi Hesser.
Headrick said Hesser advised him this particular strain of flu has a 24 to 72-hour incubation to symptom cycle, leading to the decision to take three days off before resuming classes Friday.
“This way if someone’s been exposed and didn’t know it yet (Monday) the symptoms have a chance to show up to let them know they’re sick before we take up classes again,” Headrick said. He also said Friday would give the school an opportunity to assess the status of the illness’s affect on student attendance.
When asked if any of the affected students had been stricken by the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, Headrick said, “not to my knowledge…just the flu in general.”
The Rainbows and Sonshine Daycare operated at Greensburg’s United Methodist Church has also closed its doors the remainder of the week due to the flu outbreak.
Though the flu has made its rounds through both the high school volleyball and football teams in recent weeks, enough players were able to suit up to play scheduled contests. The football team was able to practice only one day last week due to the outbreak of illness.
No classes were held for K-12 at Ness City, USD 303 October 7 and 8 when 30 percent of students were absent due to illness on October 6. That decision was also made in consultation with the county health department. Dighton, USD 482 dismissed classes at midday last Friday for grades 7-12 when 54 of 111 students in those six grades levels were home with the flu. Classes at Dighton, however, resumed Monday with only 22 absences in those grade levels.
