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Multiple Illnesses Circulating Schools

Posted at 6:19 PM, Feb 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-21 18:19:32-05

ESTILL COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)– Widespread illness among students and staff is once again forcing a number of school districts to close their doors.

In Estill County, the schools are empty and the doctor’s offices are full. Administrators cancelled school Thursday and Friday.

Kendra Robertson with Children’s Clinic in Irvine said they’ve seen an increase in flu activity in just the last week, but that’s not all.

“We’re just seeing a lot of all of it all together, which is what makes it so bad because we’ve had a lot of mono going around and a lot of strep and some kids that even have more than one thing at the same time,” said Robertson.

Robertson said that parents should use their child’s time off to clean.

“This would be a great opportunity to just take all their coats and mittens and gloves and even their backpacks, wash everything good,” she said.

“I think it’s a good idea, especially towards the end of the week like this so they can have time to get in there and clean and sanitize and just let people have time to get over it, whatever it is,” said parent Lisa Chrisman.

Chrisman brought her son into the doctor’s office Thursday morning. She said he got a flu shot, but she is being extra cautious.

“We have grandchildren, we have a new one too that’s just a couple months old so that’s why I went ahead and brought him today. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t flu,” she said.

“We have mainly only seen type A flu and most seasons, I’ve been here 14 years and almost always you get a wave of A and then usually a wave of B,” said Robertson.

She recommends getting a flu shot before the second wave hits if you haven’t already.

Robertson also said that if your child is sick, they need to be fever free for 24 hours before the go back to school.