UPDATE: PNEUMONIA STRIKING REGIONAL SCHOOLS - MOVHD Says Outbreak In Gilmer-Calhoun

(11/19/2011)

Over the past week, the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department has investigated reports of pneumonia in schools, according to Patrick Burke, Regional Epidemiologist. The health department is reporting 27 cases in Gilmer County, and also indicating the strain has affected students in Calhoun Schools. The department says that between August 15, 2011 and November 10 there may have been a mild increase in pneumonia that may have been caused by the common Mycoplasma bacterium, one of the most common causes of pneumonia in children. There are important things students and parents can do to help prevent pneumonia, influenza, and the common cold. Hand washing is the most important. Hand washing at home and in school also helps to avoid spreading common infections that cause cough and fever. Parents can also reduce the spread of common illnesses by keeping children who are sick with fever and colds or cough home from school. The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department will continue to be vigilant in promoting the health of children, taking several steps to complete the investigation and be sure the concerns of the community are addressed. The Health Department will monitor for unusual increase in pneumonia over the next month in schools. If a child is diagnosed by a doctor with pneumonia over the next four weeks, we encourage you to contact the school nurse/teacher who will be in contact with the health department. As part of follow-up, special testing will be offered to these children. This testing will be for monitoring purposes only and will not change the treatment prescribed by a doctor. Pneumonia is a common childhood illness. It is normal that some children will have pneumonia over the next month. Since important measures have already been taken to prevent the spread of infections such as the common cold and pneumonia, this monitoring will not result in changes or disruption at school. This information will help the investigation and it will help to understand the cases of pneumonia that occurred in the past few months. Calhoun parents can call Rosemary Stalnaker, School Nurse at 304-354-6148.

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