Humble ISD taking precautions with swine flu

By COREY L. TURNER
Updated: 04.27.09
With growing concerns of swine flu possibly spreading through Texas and other states, Humble Independent School District has already started to take precautionary measures.

“While there are no cases in our immediate area, I know there are growing concerns about reports about the flu outbreak,” said Karen Collier, HISD executive director of public information, in an e-mail to the Observer Monday morning.

Last week, state and local officials reacted to an epidemic of swine flu in Mexico that threatens to become a pandemic. As of April 27, three cases had already been confirmed in Texas.

Governor Rick Perry has already asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide Texas with 37,430 courses of antiviral medications from the national emergency stockpile.

The Texas cases were found at a San Antonio high school, which announced it would be closed for one week after two students were confirmed to have swine flu. Since then, districts like Humble have been prepared to act quickly if needed.

In the mean time, there are measures being taken by HISD to avoid the spread of germs at each building.

“Humble ISD has already authorized allowing custodians to work some overtime each day to disinfect all of these surfaces including our clinics and athletic areas,” Collier said. “The current plan is to continue this daily until this virus subsides.”

Collier also suggested parents should keep up to date on accurate information about the flu and preventive measures that can be taken.

Follow updates on the swine flu by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.html