Local schools seeing sharp uptick in Flu cases

Local schools in Tippah county are following the same pattern as statewide results: a high uptick in the number of cases in the 5-24 year age range.

This year’s predominant flu strain, H1N1, is affecting scool age children the hardest.

“We’re seeing geographic spread as well an increase in flu activity, and we are receiving reports of nursing home outbreaks,” said MSDH State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.

One teacher at Falkner Elementary reported “dozens” of students either missing or leaving school due to flue like symptoms, including fever.

According to the MSDH, we are in a regional outbreak of influenza. Increased ILI in at least 2 regions but fewer than half of the regions AND recent (within the past 3 weeks) lab confirmed influenza in the affected regions OR Institutional outbreaks (ILI or lab confirmed) in at least 2 regions but fewer than half of the regions AND recent lab confirmed influenza.