Harrison County BOE Prepares for Swine Flu - State Journal

CLARKSBURG -- The number of H1N1 Swine Flu cases continues to climb in West Virginia, and local school boards and health departments are doing what they can to help.

The Harrison County Board of Education has been working with the Harrison-Clarksburg Board of Health for the last several months to come up with a plan for a swine flu outbreak in the county. It planned to reveal its plan at Monday's BOE meeting.

The group decided at the beginning of the school year, to send materials home with every student in the county, letting parents know the facts about H1N1. Parents were also notified that a vaccine would be out in the coming months. Harrison County received a limited shipment of that vaccine last week, and is giving it out to first responders. Officials said they hope to get a larger shipment to give to students in the next few weeks. Both groups agree that working together, and getting kids vaccinated, is the best way to keep the disease from spreading. Three cases of Swine Flu have been confirmed in the Doddridge County School system, two at the high school and one at the middle school. The board of education there is working to finalize its plan for a more widespread outbreak.

The Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department will be holding a seasonal flu clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Senior Center in downtown Clarksburg. The cost of the shot is $20, but officials say no one will be denied a flu shot.

I agree MrsPS...this is a very scary time! We are also in the Bridgeport School system (1 at BMS and 2 at Simpson). We are concerned for our children as well because we are constantly hearing (over the past 2 weeks) that SO many children have been absent from school.

All I know from the media is that there are only 3 confirmed cases in Harrison County. I personally believe there are more and I intend on finding out, one way or the other, the truth. Afterall, it is our right as parents! I personally think the Harrison County BOE should have this information available on their website indicating which schools have confirmed H1N1 flu cases.

As for the H1N1 vaccine, we are not going to get our children vaccinated at this time. It is still so new, so it's a catch 22 for us. We've actually looked into homeschooling as an alternative option!

H1N1 is all over our school system. Don't be surprised that the school isn't notifying us. That would make the panic worse than it already is. I have a 6 year old at Simpson Elementary and Senior at BHS, and I'm worried sick, but all I or any of us can do is teach our kids to be safe...and practice what we preach! I'm still trying to decide if we will be vaccinated for H1N1, but it may be too late. I know several kids who have tested positive this week and they were all at the BHS Homecoming dance last weekend. So my entire family has been exposed...and I'm sure many others have been also. God bless all of us...it's a scary time!

They are not being very quick, nor truthful regarding confirmed cases. A doctor told us there are several kids at Ruby Hospital who are VERY ill and he urged us to see your physician (not the emergency room) as soon as your child has symptoms. Also, I have read that many have no fever, so don't only see the doctor if there's a fever. First sniffle should be the trigger. Do not wait for the school system to tell you when to keep your kids home because they'll wait until there's 25% of the kids sick before cancelling school. Also, don't panic, but DO be proactive. Have your kids wash hands, cover mouths, all that.

To KellyR: What do you mean supposedly? Where are your resources behind saying this? I have a child that goes to Johnson Elementary and if there are confirmed cases of this virus going around then why haven't they contacted the parents to let them know of this and to decide what to do with their child.

I would like to caution everyone to research this vaccine before you blindly run out and get it. You need to be educated before you decide either way. Look at ALL sources, not just the news.

Supposedly there are 3 cases at Johnson Elementary already (2 5th graders, 1 1st grader).