By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Even with no confirmed cases of swine flu in Alabama, school officials in north Jefferson County are taking no chances.

The Alabama Department of Public Health’s most recent update as of Friday afternoon reported two probable cases of the flu in Madison and one probable case in Montgomery, but no confirmed cases.

However, principals, school nurses and teachers are keeping very close eyes on students for symptoms.

“We’re being very cautious, certainly,” said Mortimer Jordan High school principal Barbara Snider. “If they have a fever, we’re sending them home.”

Mortimer Jordan officials sent one sick student home on Thursday, but simply as a precaution, according to Snider.

Ken Storie, Jefferson County Board of Education director of Healthcare Services, sent letters to all Jefferson County schools. Schools in turn sent the letters to all students’ homes.

“At this time, there are no confirmed cases in our area. In all likelihood, this will change over the next few days and weeks,” the letter stated.

The letter also gives some advice from public health officials such as cover coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue, wash hands frequently, stay 6 feet from sick people, and disinfect contaminated surfaces.

“Hopefully the parents will abide by that and not send their children to school when they’re sick,” said Karen Orton, coordinator of school nurses for the Jefferson County schools system.

“Basically, we’re just following what they’re telling us to do,” said Tracy Love, school nurse at North Jefferson Middle School. The school system’s healthcare services department is coordinating the actions to be taken by all schools in the system.

“We’re just trying to get everyone on the same page,” said Orton. “We’re telling the nurses to use good common nursing judgment.”

Orton said nurses are assessing students to look for symptoms like coughs, sore throats, congestion and muscle soreness.

If they have fever, they’re sent home.

“It’s no different than what we would normally do,” Orton said. “We’re just telling our nurses to be a little more cautious than they normally would.”

Fultondale High School principal Donna Williamon said it is important to keep the swine flu scare in perspective.

However, she said, the school is taking the threat seriously and is taking precautions.

“It’s been very helpful having a school nurse,” she said. “We’re wiping down surfaces. All teachers have hand sanitizer on their desks. We’re being cautious.”