Local schools look to stymie spread of flu

The city school system is working to prepare students and faculty for coughs, sneezes and headaches in the upcoming winter months.

The national and local shortage of flu shots has caused the school district to alter its strategy toward preventing illness throughout the district.

The county, which usually administers 4,000 flu shots each year, has only been able to administer shots to individuals who are considered high-risk patients according to the standards of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Judy Butler, community health services supervisor for the Orange County Health Department.

The problems from the shortage have snowballed and now are affecting the school system.

Typically, the school district administers about 750 flu vaccinations to teachers to prepare for the height of flu season, said Stephanie Willis, health services coordinator for the system.

But the district has been unable to obtain any flu shots to administer to faculty who don't fall into the high-risk category. It has been forced to resort to other methods to quell the spread of illness in the schools, Willis said.

"Don't shake people's hands all winter long," she said jokingly, adding that communicable diseases are transmitted mostly through oral and nasal secretions.

The school system will now focus all its attention on prevention of flu-related illnesses through education. Willis said she stressed the importance of hand-washing.

In 2003, the N.C. General Assembly passed "Garrett's Law," an act meant to "ensure that educational materials are provided so that schools provide information to parents and guardians concerning meningococcal meningitis and influenza and their vaccines."

Since then, schools in the county have created a source of information so parents can learn about the illnesses most common in schools.

From elementary school to high school, nurses are trying to teach students what steps to take to avoid illness this winter.

"The main thing is hand-washing. It sounds simple, but it's the best thing to do," said Irene Slydel, a nurse at Smith Middle School.

The school provides weekly information about how to stay healthy once flu season is in full swing. Slydel said she hopes education will be the main preventative measure against widespread infection in the school.

"The potential has increased, but that doesn't necessarily mean we'll see an increase," she said when asked if she thought the lack of flu shots would increase illness this winter.

At Carrboro Elementary School, nurse Rita Crain said the school tries to reinforce the basics of preventing the spreading of infection.

Crain aims to teach younger children the ways of avoiding the flu by visiting various classrooms in the school. She said teachers should be strict about having students use tissues, wash hands and cover mouths when coughing.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.