‘Flu-like symptoms’ temporarily shut down a Florida school
Flu-like symptoms have temporarily shut down a private school in South Fort Myers.
De LaSalle Academy — a small school that specializes in teaching first through 12th grade students who have mild to moderate learning disabilities — says it noticed several students and teachers with “flu-like symptoms” and has decided to close its doors Wednesday for a professional cleaning, Principal Sarah Barrow said.
The school at 6401 Techster Blvd. has 145 students and 32 staff members, according to its website.
“Yesterday afternoon 22% of the student body and 14% of staff were experiencing flu like symptoms,” said Barrow in a written statement. “We have been working closely with the Lee County Department of Health to monitor the situation. School administration determined that it is in the best interest of our school community to have the entire building sanitized today.”
Administrators say it’s not a confirmed flu outbreak. Instead, they say the closing was a “preventative” measure.
The school is expected to reopen Thursday.
Tips to prevent the flu
Children are more likely than adults to get sick from the flu and are more likely to spread it to others, especially when they’re close together such as in a classroom, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here are four ways you can help prevent getting and spreading the flu at school:
1. Keeping children at home — and away from other kids — when they’re sick
2. Teaching children to to always cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze
3. Teaching children how to wash their hands correctly.
4. Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that your child touches
To learn more about school flu prevention, visit cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/school/index.html
This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 8:16 AM.
