Maryland Department of Health

 Maryland Department of Health(MDH)

The incidence of influenza outbreaks in schools is rising, and the MDH has recommendations for parents:

In the last six weeks, there have been over 500 confirmed cases of influenza in educational institutions. This last week saw the reporting of nearly half of those outbreaks.

The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed the earliest epidemic report as coming from a school during the first week of October. All throughout the month, MDH received reports.

In the first week of November, 97 additional cases were reported in educational institutions. After reaching 195 the week after, the number of breakouts spiked to 240 the week before last.

Senior MDH epidemiologist Melissa McMahon noted, "This is earlier than we generally see influenza activity at quite this level." For me, the most pressing question is this: what can we expect from the rest of the season?

Since October 1st, there have been 564 confirmed cases of influenza in schools. This increase is far larger than similar increases seen at this time last year.

McMahon says it's too soon to know if this year's flu season is peaking early or if it will continue high throughout the winter.

It's possible that this is leading to an early peak, which would reduce flu activity in the spring, she added, but it's too soon to tell.

It has recently been reported that Hidden River Middle School, located in the Saint Paul Public Schools, has been plagued by a flu epidemic. Cases have been reported by the district at multiple campuses during the past few weeks.

Mary Langworthy, the director of health and wellness at SPPS, remarked, "We're definitely seeing approximately double what we normally have out for students at this time of year." "I've heard from a few different sources that having as much as half a class out at once is pretty unusual," the teacher said.

In addition to cases of RSV and pneumonia, the district is also dealing with cases of COVID.

"I guess what's new is we're having pupils out numerous days," said Langworthy, referring to the two-to-five absences that have been noted. "It appears like people are becoming sick with one thing, recovering from it or at least feeling better, and then getting sick with something else, perhaps influenza and then COVID because their immune systems are so weakened."

The rise in disease rates has also affected district employees.

Safe from influenza outbreaks

It's a double whammy because "they might have been unwell and out for a few days and now their children are out and now they need to take care of them at home," as Langworthy put it.

She said that the school is keeping a careful eye on the students and sending anyone who shows symptoms to the health office for further testing.

McMahon claims that influenza spreads by droplets and that the virus may survive on hard surfaces. If an infected individual coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings in close proximity to another person who breaths in the droplets, the disease can spread. Infection can also spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

McMahon recommended that people "wash your hands thoroughly and often," stay home from work or school if they are unwell, mask their coughs and sneezes, and receive the flu shot as well as other recommended vaccinations, such as those for COVID. While it's understandable that no one would voluntarily miss a holiday celebration due to illness, doing so may be the safest option for you and your loved ones.