Schools Try to Halt Spread of Swine Flu

Parents Are Advised As Area Cases Mount

As cases of swine flu cropped up last week in Maryland, including one in Charles County, school officials distributed hand sanitizers in classrooms in Southern Maryland, and principals urged parents to keep their sick children at home.

"The health and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority," St. Mary's County Superintendent Michael J. Martirano wrote in a letter to parents Wednesday. "And we are doing everything necessary to address any swine flu concerns."

School officials in Charles and Calvert counties also sent letters or e-mails detailing what they were doing to prevent the spread of the virus and recommended ways for families to protect themselves.

By Friday, new cases had been identified in Charles and at George Washington University in the District, bringing to 17 the tally of probable or confirmed cases in Maryland, the District and Virginia. Maryland authorities reported 67 possible cases, which were undergoing testing.

Few details were available in the Charles case, which involved a man with no connections to any school or children.

The fast-spreading virus has sickened people in Mexico, the United States and several other countries.

More than 400 schools in nearly two dozen states had been closed by the end of last week to prevent the virus from spreading, leaving more than 245,000 students at home, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Federal officials said they expected an increase in cases and encouraged teachers to prepare materials to send home with students.

Officials in Montgomery, Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties announced extended school closures Friday to isolate children exposed to likely cases of swine flu. They urged students in those counties to avoid public places and told the public to expect more shutdowns in days ahead.

Calvert officials said they had received several phone calls and e-mails from parents concerned about the virus. The officials said they were monitoring information from county and federal health organizations.

At St. Mary's College of Maryland in St. Mary's City, Health Services Director Alberta Hickman sent out a campuswide e-mail encouraging students to stay away from the library, cafeteria or campus center if they feel sick. The department stocked up on Tylenol and thermometers and planned to buy more Tamiflu.

Symptoms of the virus can include a fever of more than 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

School officials issued the following recommendations:

Stay home from school or work if you are sick, and contact a physician; wash hands frequently or use alcohol-based sanitizers; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; avoid people who are sick; cover your mouth and nose when sneezing; and keep your immunity strong by reducing stress, getting lots of sleep, eating nutritious foods, exercising and drinking plenty of fluids.

State officials also announced a toll-free information line, 877-MDFLU4U (633-5848). It will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will accept questions at swineflu@dhmh.state.md.us.