KENNEBUNK — School district and local officials held a press conference Thursday to address questions and concerns from the community after a school and day care center were closed due to two reported cases of the swine flu.
Gov. John Baldacci directed School Administrative District 71 Superintendent Patrick Manuel to close Kennebunk Elementary School and the Crayon Academy day care center in Arundel for seven days after two children were suspected to have H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu. Baldacci also signed an executive order declaring a civil emergency Wednesday to enable the state to better respond to cases of the swine flu. Kennebunk Parks and Recreation also postponed the first day of registration for all summer programs for one week ”“ until May 8.
“We are the first school in Maine to have to close due to swine flu,” Manuel said at the press conference. “The CDC has made it very clear in their advice to only close Kennebunk Elementary School at this time. We will continue to follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Education.”
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Thomas Courtney, of Southern Maine Medical Center and York Hospital, and consulting school physician Dr. Donald Burgess were also present to answer medical questions.
“This is a unique virus, and that is a concern,” Courtney said Thursday. “For the time being we need to see how this influenza evolves.”
Many parents raised concerns and questions at the press conference and also asked about their children. A few said they kept their children home from school Thursday due to concerns about influenza.
According to the school district office, about 25 percent of students were absent on Thursday ”“ excluding the 481 students enrolled at Kennebunk Elementary.
Courtney said the school and day care will remain closed for seven days because typically after that time an infected individual is no longer contagious. The incubation period ”“ the point at which an individual comes into contact with a virus up to the time first symptoms are displayed ”“ is usually about 48 hours. With this influenza, he estimates incubation may last 48 to 72 hours.
“There is a period of time before people become symptomatic that they can pass the virus,” Courtney said.
Courtney assured community members that they cannot contract swine flu from eating pork products. They should also continue their daily lives, but monitor their children and families for symptoms.
Burgess said onset of symptoms has been gradual in the reported cases and typically began with fever. Although more than 100 people have died in Mexico due to the swine flu strain, access to medical care could have been a reason for the severity. Burgess said the cases in Maine have been mild. People should seek medical care for themselves and their children if they show symptoms of swine flu, he said
Kennebunk Youth Coordinator Rachel Phipps said some parents without insurance may be hesitant to seek medical treatment for fear of the cost. Burgess and Courtney said all people displaying symptoms would be tested at their facilities regardless of their financial situation. They would also be treated, if necessary, Courtney said.
Until the state receives a stockpile of medication for treating the flu, hospitals will use treatment only for those necessary ”“ children under age 5, adults over 65 and others with identified needs. Courtney said there are two anti-viral treatments currently being used, which help reduce symptoms when taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms.
Manuel said due to shortage of treatment and vaccines, the school will not be offering any preventative measures aside from school closing and encouraging students to use good hygiene practices and asking parents to monitor their children. If preventative medical treatment becomes available, Manuel said he would ask the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention what may be available to the district.
As of Friday morning, the World Health Organization Web site reported 331 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in 11 countries. In the United States, 109 cases have been confirmed including one death.
For information and updates about the swine flu visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh.
— Staff Writer Robyn Burnham can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 329 or rburnham@gwi.net.
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