Over 100 students of St. John Vianney sick with flu
The influenza is sweeping through Belize City schools. Last week various schools sent students home as a result of the flu. Today over a hundred students were absent from classes at St John’s Vianney primary. They have also been reporting the symptoms, which may indicate the ordinary influenza or the dreaded H1N1. No confirmed cases of the swine flu have been reported, but there is cause for concern as the numbers continue in an upward trend. Saint John’s principal, Felix Sutherland, is taking no chances and says he and the teachers are turning back sick students to mitigate the spread of the illness.
Felix Sutherland, Principal, St. John Vianney School
“Today we have one hundred and twenty-five students out. Whether they are sick or just absent, I am not sure but what I am sure of is that more than half of that have been reported as sick.”
Delahnie Bain
“Have any the students come to you with the symptoms and have been sent home?”
Felix Sutherland
“Yes, as a matter of fact, if you look to the left of me, we have two students who were put out this morning because they start to exhibit signs of flu-like symptoms.”
Delahnie Bain
“What are some of the most common symptoms you’ve been seeing?”
Felix Sutherland
“Headache, nausea, abdominal pain, sneezing, running eyes among others. We ask our teachers to be very vigilant in observing their students and at first sight to ask those children to be removed from the class and we call the parents to come and get their children.”
Delahnie Bain
“If the number of students with the symptoms continues to increase, what will be the next step?”
Felix Sutherland
“Well, as I said, we will try to keep abreast of occurrence with the ministry of Education, with Public Health, and out General Manager. They in turn will advise us the way forward.”
Melinda Guerra, Acting Regional Manager, Central Health Region
“I would just like to highlight the point that I know the public is aware of Tami flu. However, Tami flu is only used for patients who are hospitalized due to flu like symptoms or who can develop some serious complications. Another very important point is that the Tami flu is available free of cost through the Ministry of Health if the patient has to take the Tami flu.”
Sutherland says they have been unsuccessful in trying to contact health authorities via the flu hotline. Acting Regional Health Manager, Melinda Guerra, told us that’s because they can now reach the Central Health Region at 223-2722, Joan Flowers at 605-4555, or Guerra at 601-8652.
