Schools are closing nationwide due to a surge in flu and other seasonal illnesses. As we haven’t seen the 2024-2025 flu season yet, some school systems are overwhelmed by sick students and staff.
Even schools and even the entire district are temporarily closed in Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee and other states.
This is a measure reminiscent of the era of Covid lockdown. Schools that have closed their doors – some classes will pause completely, but some will pivot to remote learning due to a surge in respiratory illnesses. However, this time the flu is the main perpetrator, and the closure is short-lived, most of which lasts for several days.
The flu is a common and very used respiratory system that can cause a week’s worth of disastrous symptoms ranging from fever and chills to coughing, coughing and throat irritation to runny nose and body pain It’s a disease. It is easily communicated from person to person.
Influenza activity is high nationwide and continues to increase nationwide. This continues to rise nationwide, according to the latest data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fluview Surveillance Report, which ends on January 25th.
Currently, at least 41 states report “very high” or “high” flu-like disease activity, according to the CDC. Influenza-related ER visits and hospitalizations are also rising rapidly. Cases have skyrocketed among children, with at least 47 pediatric influenza deaths reported this season.
“What we’re most concerned about is the bacterial infections that can last along with the flu (and) can make your child super, super sick. …The flu itself and their complications The condition can lead to the death of a child. …The flu is scary,” Dr. Jason Newland, head of the Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospitals, tells Today.com.
At the same time, the US is also watching the waves of norovirus, Covid-19 and RSV.
“The surge in the virus we are seeing right now is challenging,” Dr. Tory Mack, chief medical officer of the Association of Children’s Hospitals, which represents more than 200 hospitals nationwide, told Today.com.
In addition to overcrowded emergency rooms and pediatrician offices, the school system is feeling the impact.
Influenza Season 2024-2025
CDC estimates so far, there have been at least 20 million illnesses, 250,000 hospitalizations and 11,000 deaths from the flu.
“We have a very persistent, moderately serious flu season and we’re seeing a lot of hospitalizations. The numbers aren’t diminishing, so we’re still in the middle,” Vanderbilt said. Professor of Infectious Diseases, William Schaffner, PhD, School of Medicine, spoke to Today.com.
In the US, flu activity tends to peak between December and February. However, this year’s flu season began much later than usual, rising in December and taking off after the holidays. Many experts say the peak has not yet arrived and the flu activity is expected to last for several weeks.
School closures due to flu
Schools are breeding grounds for bacteria. “Children, especially children, are great distributors of the flu virus,” says Schaffner. Most school facilities are surrounded by enclosed settings, with close contact and frequent sharing of objects and surfaces that allow for the flu virus to spread easily.
While school closures may seem concerning, experts say it’s not surprising to see them during a violent wave of illness.
“Closing schools for a while as a way to allow outbreak passes is something local school boards have to turn to from time to time,” says Schaffner. “We don’t rule out growing outbreaks, but they can be very slow.”
“Schools are also closed as adults in the school system are affected and they need to take leave. Many schools are closed as an opportunity to deep clean up the closure.
Experts say these closures are likely not to lead to a complete lockdown, and are a short-lived measure.
“We hope we won’t close schools again, but if this (the virus) only takes a few days before it passes through everyone, that’s probably fine,” says Newland.
Here are some states where schools are closed.
Texas
Several Texas school districts were closed last week due to a surge in flu and other illnesses.
Godley Independent School District in Godley, Texas has been closed after reporting a 30% decline in attendance across campus, NBC’s affiliate NBC5 DFW reported on Jan. 29.
At least 650 students and 60 staff had the flu the day before the closure, Jeff Meador, chief communications officer at Godley ISD, told NBC5.
“Our custodians all work on a variety of campuses, doing deep cleaning and disinfecting,” says Meador.
The Comanche Independent School District and Morgan Independent School District in Comanche, Texas were also closed last week.
“In our area, the flu rate is very high, and some of these children have a fever for four or five days depending on the severity of the symptoms,” Dallas, Texas Health told Today.com It’s there.
Children’s health has seen a 40% increase in flu cases since the previous week, and Sharma says he has also noticed a large number of patients with severe symptoms. “For many people, symptoms are more severe than in the past, and there have been some reports that there are higher rates of pneumonia with flu recently,” says Sharma.
“The number of positive influenza samples reported to public health continues to rise in all regions,” a spokesman for the Texas Department of Health told Today.com in a statement. “In pediatrics, influenza activity continues to increase. There are currently four confirmed flu-related child deaths in the 2024-2025 season.”
Ohio
The flu wave forced several schools to close this week in Ohio.
“If you’re here now and have a flu test… Over 40% of the time, it’s influenza positive and it’s very high,” says Columbus-based. Newland says.
“The kids all returned to school (after the holidays) and now we’re about four weeks in the school year and they’re all mixed together and we’re telling everyone that “It’s been,” says Newland.
St. Hillary School in Fairlawn, Ohio, has been temporarily closed after 20% and 15% of staff became ill, reported NBC Affiliate WKYC 3 Studios in Cleveland.
Local schools in Coventry in northeastern Ohio also closed this week, causing a shortage of bus drivers due to an increase in seasonal illnesses.
Tennessee
Tennessee has the highest flu levels in the country. Schaffner, who works in Nashville, says it is just as overwhelming an emergency room as the school.
At least three school districts in central Tennessee were closed in the first week of February, NBC affiliate WSMV-TV reported. These include the Lebanon Special School District, Houston County Schools and Lincoln County Schools.
“Not only does their children get sick, but any teacher, administrator, administrator, or anyone who works in the school system gets sick,” says Schaffner.
Georgia
Georgia is another flu hotspot in the southeast.
Georgia’s Polk School District closed all schools and facilities last Friday and Monday due to a surge in flu and norovirus that have made 761 students sick, NBC affiliate WXIA-TV reported. The district said the outbreak will cause staff shortages and the closure will allow for deep cleaning.
“Decisions regarding school closures or switching to online or virtual are made by the school… (and) based on the number of students, staff, teachers who are sick, and the quality of learning they are given. “Absent,” Georgia Department of Health Communications Director Nancy Nydham told Today.com in a statement.
Virginia
Several Virginia schools were closed last week, citing an outbreak of flu and staffing.
“Influenza levels in Virginia are currently very high. …Influenza infections have particularly affected children, with nearly five people visiting due to the flu. In recent weeks, Virginia has been in schools and daycare. , and day care, and many large-scale influenza outbreaks. In long-term care facilities, Dr. Laurie Forlano, a state epidemiologist with the Virginia Department of Health, told Today.com in a statement.
Oklahoma
Local affiliate KFORIATE, reported by local affiliate KFOR-TV, says Oklahoma schools are moving towards virtual learning as flu cases soar among children.
“Influenza activity in Oklahoma continues to rise. In January, children under the age of 18 accounted for less than 60% of positive influenza sentinel tests,” he said. The Oklahoma Department of Health told Today.com in a statement.
Iowa
Schools in Sioux City, Iowa, Iowa and Polk County are closed due to illnesses including the flu, according to reports from local NBC affiliates.
“We see significant illness attitudes among students and staff at Polk County schools,” Julian Van Liu, director of Iowa’s Polk County Health Department, said in a statement in mid-January. Masu. “It is important that we work together as a community to reduce the spread of these diseases and to keep our children and communities healthy.”
Missouri
Several school districts in southeastern and southwest Missouri are closed due to influenza and other illnesses, local outlets report.
“The data shows the highest (influenza) activity in the 0-4 years and 5-24 years. It is not uncommon for multiple causes of illness this year. However, the data shows that seasonal flu A is the most common cause. It suggests that the increase is a contributing factor,” a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Health told Today.com in a statement.
Additionally, schools are closed in Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana and other states due to flu-related absences.
How to prevent and treat influenza
It’s never too late to get a shot of the flu, experts say. The CDC recommends that everyone, who has more than six months, get seasonal flu vaccines.
Influenza shots can provide continued protection against multiple strains, including influenza A and influenza B, for several months. The US flu season usually passes through spring.
“It’s very likely that we’ll see a second peak in flu B later in the season…and if we get a shot of flu, we can be protected from the next wave,” Sharma said. I say it.
To prevent the flu, stay at home when you’re sick, avoid contact with people who are sick, practice good hand hygiene, wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces, sneeze or cough and cough to make your mouth and nose Cover. Anyone with a fever should stay home at least 24 hours a day without medication until they don’t have a fever, Sharma says.
Most often, people recover from the flu themselves without treatment within about a week. Rest, hydration, over-the-counter fever or painkillers can help. Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu can help treat or prevent diseases, and are particularly important for high-risk groups, according to the CDC.
Always consult your doctor if you have severe flu symptoms, are in a high-risk group, or have concerns about your illness. High-risk groups include people over the age of 65, children under the age of 2, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.
If you or your child experiences difficulty breathing, signs of dehydration, very high fever, or mental disruption, you are seeking emergency medical consultations, Sharma says.
“Whenever parents are concerned, we encourage them to reach out,” says Sharma.
This story first appeared on Today.com. More from today:
Source link
