Ruidoso Municipal School District H1N1 update

Jim Kavelage

Nov. 4, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- After seeing absentee rates soar at the end of September and start of October, the level of Ruidoso Municipal School District students out because of flu-like symptoms has fallen.

"There's been a clear decrease," said Superintendent Dr. Bea Etta Harris.

The most recent attendance report for the district's six schools is right around 10 percent. In early October it had topped 20 percent.

"They're telling us it will go back up over the winter," Harris said of information from health officials. "It will probably be mid-winter, sometime after Christmas. We're being careful because there will be another peak."

Nearly all of the influenza cases in the schools were attributed to the H1N1 virus.

The district put in heightened safeguards in September as part of an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. Students and staff are washing hands more thoroughly and cleaning the schools is done more often.

Registered Nurse Diane Latham, with the Mescalero Apache Elementary School, said things have slowed down on the campus.

"It's that way with us too," said Latham. "We're about the same as Ruidoso. But we're not letting down."

Vaccinations against the H1N1 influenza virus arrived last week at the state health office in Ruidoso. And more are scheduled to arrive this week.

State public health clinic nurse Millie Smith said the supplies, for both the injection and mist vaccines, have been tight.

"I'm getting calls constantly," Smith said.

With the

limited supplies of the swine flu immunizations, Smith said people more at risk of serious complications are getting vaccinated.

Those include pregnant women, household members or caretakers of infants less than six months old, children from six to 59 months of age, and children five to 18 years old who have chronic health conditions that could be complicated by the flu. Those conditions include asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

In addition to the H1N1 vaccines, the health clinic on Kansas City Road also has some seasonal flu vaccines.

As of late last week Lincoln County has had four people hospitalized so far this year because of the swine flu. In Otero County the number was 20. Statewide more than 600 people have been hospitalized and 21 have died. Just over half of the deaths involved those with chronic medical conditions.

Visits to healthcare providers for influenza-like illness dropped significantly last week in southeastern New Mexico. About 17 percent of doctor visits were for flu symptoms. Earlier in October the level had been more than 30 percent.

State Health Department epidemiologist Dr. Mack Sewell said while there is a drop in flu cases right now, the worst may be yet to come.

Newstex ID: KRTB-1034-39515401