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Local flu cases climb while one school shuts doors

Written by Russ Jones

Friday, 15 February 2008

Officials with the El Paso County Health Department want residents to know that flu cases are really on the rise locally.

Dr. Bernadette Albanese announced last Friday that the County reported 22 people hospitalized with the flu in January alone. That's compared to only 3 cases in January of last year. There were 26 cases total in all of the previous flu season. The problem got so bad at James Irwin Charter Elementary School this week, officials there announced they would close the building for two days.

The message on the answering machine says, "School is cancelled for Tuesday, February 12th, and Wednesday, February 13th, to allow students and staff to get well and recover strength. We have had a significant number absent in both the student body and instructional staff."

School officials intend to be up and running again Thursday after spending those two days cleaning and disinfecting.

Local health experts say flu shots are still available at your doctor's office and some pharmacies.

They also remind people to wash their hands often, avoid contact with flu-stricken people, and stay home if you are sick.

For more information, visit www.immunizecolorado.com or www.elpasocountyhealth.org .