Not only is H1N1 showing up on college campuses all across the country, but cases have been reported in both public and private schools in Southern Maryland. The most widespread reporting of the disease remains on the College Park campus at the University of Maryland where clinics have had to open longer hours to accommodate the severe increase in the number of students reporting flu-like symptoms.
Last week there were reports of Swine Flu symptoms in St. Mary’s County Public schools and yesterday, Monday, Sept. 14. The Calverton School, a private school in Calvert County reported that one student has a confirmed case of H1N1 and that up to 27 percent of the student body was out with symptoms.
In each case, school officials have stepped up disinfecting efforts to avoid further spreading of the disease. However, because of the close proximity of students to each other and the fact that H1N1 is contagious before symptoms appear, more and more students are being infected at an ever increasing rate.
A Swine Flu vaccine is expected to be available in October. However, at the rate the disease seems to be spreading, October may be too late to prevent a wider spreading of this highly contagious disease.
In a letter to the media and parents, SMCPS Superintendent, Dr. Michael J. Martirano stated, “… Good health, frequent hand washing, and covering coughs are essential to ensure effective learning and reduce the spread of disease. …”
Schools are also stepping up their efforts to educate children about the dangers of the virus and are performing frequent cleaning and disinfecting efforts throughout the schools while providing hand sanitizers for students and staff.