05/21/09 Better Late Than Never: The Greenwich Time Reports On The Confirmed Swine Flu Case At Western Middle School

Swine flu confirmed in Greenwich schools

By Colin Gustafson
Staff Writer
Posted: 05/21/2009 04:10:41 PM EDT

School officials have confirmed the first known case of swine flu in a student in Greenwich Public Schools, the town health director and superintendent of schools announced Thursday afternoon.

A student who attends Western Middle School has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, according to results released to the district by the state's Department of Public Health.

A student who attends Western Middle School has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, according to results released to the district by the state's Department of Public Health.

The student, whose name was not released, had mild symptoms, was treated and did not require hospitalization, officials said.

News of the student's infection came one day after Western Middle School's sixth-grade class was sent home from a five-day trip to Nature's Classroom in Colebrook, after 19 students became ill with fevers and an additional 36 complained of symptoms from minor headaches to fever.
The parents of the 19 sick students have been advised to have their children seen by their doctor before returning to school.

District officials said Thursday afternoon they have decided not to close any schools at the moment, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which discourages school closures unless "there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school," officials said.

Town health and school officials say they continue to monitor all illnesses in Greenwich schools, adding that they will take measures to prevent the transmission of disease as needed.

Information is being collected daily from the school nurses, physicians and Greenwich Hospital, officials said.

Messages were left with Western Middle School principal Stacey Gross Thursday

PLEASE SEE:

05/21/09 Parents say Greenwich Swine Flu outbreak was handled all wrong by the BOE and the town Health Department

05/21/09 This Is What The Western Middle School Parents Were Given Today When They Picked Up There Sick Children

05/21/09 Greenwich Public School's Issues A Western Middle School Swine Flu Update

05/21/09 Breaking News: Greenwich Roundup Exclusive>>>>> One more Greenwich child has been confirmed with Swine Flu

05/21/09 A Mother Reports From Western Middle School

05/20/09 In A story Reported First In Greenwich Roundup - Swine Flu Fears Hit Greenwich After 19 Middle-School Students Became Ill With Fevers

05/20/09 Greenwich Public Schools Press Release: 19 Western Middle School Students Come Down With Fevers On Class Trip

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