Updated: 5/4/2009 3:19:33 PM
Sunday the Knox County Health Department announced a West Valley Middle School student is east Tennessee's first probable case of the swine flu.
The student was not identified for privacy purposes, but officials said "he was at home sick" most of last week and has fully recovered from the "mild" case. Knox County Schools has canceled all classes and activities at West Valley Middle School through this Friday, May 8th. There are no cancelations for other schools in Knox County.
Diagnosis
The student was kept out of school starting Tuesday of last week due to flu-like symptoms and saw a local physician. The physician sent samples to the state lab for testing.
Knox County Health Department official Martha Buchanan said she first learned of the likely H1N1 diagnosis Sunday morning when she was contacted by a state lab. The student has since recovered from the illness.
Buchanan stressed that the case is likely but has not yet been confirmed. At this point the state lab has only confirmed it is not one of the typical flu strain types. The Centers for Disease Control will make the official confirmation. Health Department officials said they are unable to trace where or how the student contracted the virus.
Schools React
Knox County Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre said all classes and school activities at West Valley Middle School are canceled through May 8th. Crews will disinfect the entire school this week and install hand sanitizers in classrooms.
McIntyre said West Valley Middle School students should stay home and not go to public places such as malls in order to prevent the possible spread of the virus. It can take several days for an infected person to display symptoms. One week provides enough time to ensure none of the other students are infected and spreading the virus.
"This is an abundance of caution and we believe this is a situation that's localized to a single school," said McIntyre. "We are taking the situation seriously as you can see from our reaction, but we are also are being careful not to overreact. We want people to be cautious but calm."
All other Knox County Schools will remain open. McIntyre said there has been no indication that other schools were exposed to the virus.
Doctors' Orders
Buchanan said although students should avoid personal contact this week, there is no danger for the public to enter the geographic area near West Valley Middle School. Buchanan also said she is confident the county has plenty of reserves of Tami flu, an anti-viral drug. The county is asking to be placed on stand-by for reserves should the current stock dwindle.
"It goes back to staying home or keeping your kids home if you're sick and not visiting people if you're sick," said Buchanan.
"One thing we don't want is everyone with a cold to think they have to go to the doctor," said Randy Pardue, M.D., with Trinity Medical Associates. "If you don't have fever [of at least 100.5 degrees] and are not achy, just stay home and ride it out. But if you are showing signs of flu, go see your doctor because we need the data."
The strain can be transmitted the same ways as other types of flu via contact with sick people or surfaces with the flu virus. Buchanan said people should frequently wash hands and cover their mouths when coughing.
Virus Spreads
Buchanan said the Knox County H1N1 diagnosis was a matter of "when" rather than "if." Doctors said they do expect to see more cases of H1N1, and they're working to do all they can to prevent its spread.
Officials said a total of nine suspected cases of swine flu have been reported across the state. The CDC confirmed has confirmed one of those cases, which is in Williamson County.
"This virus has only killed one person in the United States. We're just trying to slow its spread until a vaccine can be developed because it is too late to completely contain the flu strain."
The AP reports the latest government tally show 226 confirmed cases in 30 states. Mexico's health secretary says the swine flu epidemic in his country "is now in its declining phase." More than 500 cases have been confirmed in Mexico, including 19 deaths.
Information Updates
A hotline has been set-up at the health department for those who have questions at (865) 215-5555. The hotline is open Monday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. More information can also be found at Knox County's Web site.
Knox County Schools will continue reaching parents via automated phone calls as well as providing updates on its website.
