Another case of H1N1 (swine) flu has been confirmed in the Santa Clarita Valley.
A sixth-grade student at Skyblue Mesa School was diagnosed with the strain after going for treatment of flu-like symptoms last week. After receiving a confirmation call from the doctor, the parent called the principal of the school, who informed the district.
Keith Karzin, Director of Safety and Risk Management for the Saugus District, said that all sixth grade classrooms at the school have been disinfected, as were the common areas and horizontal surfaces, such as doorknobs, desks and chairs, in time for school today.
“The good news is that this was very much like the typical flu and the student is already feeling better,” Karzin said.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is no longer categorizing the incidents of this particular strain of flu geographically and could not confirm the case, but did issue a release saying that the illness in the United States has been mostly mild to moderate and very similar to seasonal flu.
“We will continue to track attendance of the kids who are called in sick,” Karzin said. “If they’re sick, we want them to stay home.
“It’s been a good month since it was first announced,” he continued. “People can see that it’s not the epidemic and not much worse than the normal flu. It’s not about panicking, it’s about being proactive to prevent the disease from spreading.”
County health offers the following prevention tips:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Wash your hands often
- Cover your cough
- Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth)
See a doctor if you or your loved ones experience any of the more severe symptoms, including:
(in children)
- if flu-like symptoms do not get better after a few days or become worse
- fast breathing or trouble breathing
- bluish skin color
- dehydration, unable to drink enough fluids
- not taking up, not interacting; confusion, being disoriented
- fever with a rash
(in adults)
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- sudden dizziness
- confusion
- severe or persistent vomiting
For additional information visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health here or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here.