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Swine Flu cases confirmed in 2 Dayton schools

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By Ben Sutherly and Anthony Gottschlich
Staff Writer Updated 10:27 PM Monday, June 8, 2009

DAYTON — Two Dayton Public Schools students have swine flu, also known as the H1N1 flu virus, a Montgomery County health official confirmed Monday, June 8.

A 9-year-old girl attending Wogaman PreK-8 School, 920 McArthur Ave., and a 13-year-old girl at the Stivers School for the Arts, 1313 E. Fifth St., are the two cases, spokesman Bill Wharton said. They’re Montgomery County’s second and third cases of the H1N1 virus, whose symptoms so far have been generally mild.

Wharton declined to say how the two girls might have been exposed to the virus, or if they are related. He said there are no other suspected cases in Montgomery County.

Jill Moberley, spokeswoman for Dayton Public Schools, said the school district alerted parents Monday afternoon through its automatic dialingsystem. A letter will go home Tuesday with the district’s roughly 14,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12, she said.

“There’s no need to close the schools,” Moberley said.

Moberley cited privacy laws in declining to say if the children were related.

“They’re at home recovering,” she said.

She said the school district is following federal guidelines and Public Health’s lead in handling the cases.

Wednesday is the final day of classes for Wogaman and most Dayton schools. Stivers’ last day is Monday due to days it must make up because of last September’s wind storms.

The county’s first case of H1N1, or swine flu, was confirmed in a Butler High school sophomore on June 1. That boy probably was exposed to a 15-year-old Clark County girl around Memorial Day during a trip to Kings Island. The trip was organized through the Light Street Apostolic Church, 39 Light St., Dayton, according to Public Health.

Flu symptoms so far have been mild. People can prevent its spread much as they can with seasonal flu: washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes.

Ohio had 38 confirmed cases as of 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 8.

Montgomery County residents seeking more information can go to phdmc.org

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I can't believe "W" Bush let this happen. Why didn't he do anything to stop this before he left office?!?!?!?

Tired of it
11:13 AM, 6/9/2009

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I'm not overly concerned about my own health, but I have a 7 week old daughter, and her well-being has me petrified.

Toi
11:09 AM, 6/9/2009

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I teach for DPS. We were given letters for the students who came to school today to take home with them. So no money was spent for postage. Also, all DPS students and staff who have working phone numbers received an automated phone call yesterday from Dr. Stanic explaining the situation.

teacher
11:03 AM, 6/9/2009

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We need to take this flu seriously for people who have a weak immume system, and can't fight off infection easily. Even those its a new strain, we need to consider and take precautions for those who can't fight off infections easily. One more day of school? Why didn't they just take precautions and close the school..who knows how many more children may be infected by now.

Patti
10:16 AM, 6/9/2009

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So the Dayton school system is going to send out 14,000 letters to tell people that 2 kids basically have the flu. So what is that going to cost $500(estimate). I know that this is not a lot of money in the big picture, but its still $500. Hell get a sponsor, and sell some advertising on the letter and recover the $500.

jon
9:58 PM, 6/8/2009

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