KGUN 9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & SportsSuspected Swine Flu Outbreak Closes Cochise Co. School
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By Linda Garrett
Huachuca City - The swine flu has arrived in Cochise county and health officials believe an outbreak is wreaking havoc on schools.
Only 3 cases have been confirmed as H1N1, but plenty of people are out sick with flu-like symptoms.
On Monday, a third of the students at Huachuca Elementary School were ill and 10 staff members stayed home from work.
Cochise County Health Director Vaira Harik said Tuesday the vast majority of flu circulating in the area is the H1N1 swine flu virus, so while victims haven't been tested, officials assume swine flu is to blame.
"I would describe it as widespread. We have it hitting all of the community and this is not unusual to Cochise, it's the same status as all of Arizona," said Harik.
Tuesday morning crews got to work disinfecting door knobs, desks and computer keyboards - basically anything kids could get their hands on.
"We want to do what's best for our students, best for our staff," said Tombstone Unified School District Superintendent Karl Uterhardt.
"It's been a little crazy, little hectic," said Principal Tom Yarborough.
As a result, the school district ordered the campus closed.
CDC guidelines don't recommend school closures but do urge local officials to use their own judgment.
"My feeling was we'd be well over 40% of absenteeism if we had opened today," said Uterhardt.
The Cochise County Health Department backs his decision to close the school in an effort to reduce the spread of the illness.
"It's just an appropriate reaction to the set of circumstances. The school has done a very good job in making their decisions," said Harik.
Two other schools in the district Tombstone High and Walter Meyer Elementary will remain open. Officials there say absenteeism is at about 20% and dropping.
In the meantime, teachers who are not ill at Huachuca City Elementary, plan to work the remainder of the week cleaning up the campus and preparing it for students to come back.
"Kids will be rested and ready to study again," said Yarborough.
Huachuca City Elementary will remain closed until Saturday. Fall break kicks in next week, so class will resume October 19th.
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