Northland Pines School District Sonia Graves disinfected desks at Eagle River Elementary School last Friday, when all the district schools were locked to the public. The schools reopened Monday.--Staff Photo By GARY RIDDERBUSCH

North Woods schools
close due to
influenza-like illness

By Gary Ridderbusch
News-Review Asst. Editor

A high incidence of influenza-like illness among students and staff resulted in the closure of several area schools the past week, according to public health officials.

Three Lakes is the latest school district to be hit by suspected cases of the highly contagious H1N1 influenza virus.

Northland Pines closed its schools last Friday through Sunday to allow custodial staff to clean and disinfect the schools. The students were scheduled to be off last Friday, so district officials took the opportunity to close the schools to the public.

Three Lakes junior and senior high, Three Lakes Elementary and Sugar Camp Elementary were closed Sunday, Nov. 1, through Tuesday, Nov. 3, due to influenza-like illness.

The schools were scheduled to reopen Wednesday, Nov. 4. All cocurricular activities were canceled in conjunction with the Three Lakes schools closure.

Three Lakes School District officials said they will continue to coordinate with the Oneida County Health Department regarding absentee rates, symptoms of absentees and recommendations for management of schools.

“Any individuals with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not go into the community, except to seek medical care, for 24 hours after their fever has subsided,” according to Phyllis Wendler of the Oneida County Public Health Department.

“People who do not have influenza-like illness, but have been in contact with someone who does have the symptoms are not restricted in their activities in the community,” said Wendler. “However, they should assess their own health frequently and, if they become ill, they should immediately be subject to the same restrictions as currently indicated for ill persons.”

WANT TO READ MORE? SUBSCRIBE TODAY!