BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SOME 80 students of the Maurice Hillier Memorial Junior School (MHMJS) and Dr. William Connor Primary School (DWCPS) were absent over the past week due to their contraction of influenza.
SKNVibes contacted Icilma Springer and Anthony Wiltshire, Principals of MHMJS and DWCPS respectively, who confirmed that a number of pupils were at home because they had exhibited severe flu-like symptoms.
Although Springer reported that “maybe around 10” persons had been affected, Wiltshire revealed that about 70 children had been absent each day since last week Friday. He spoke candidly about the effects of the virus on his student population, and noted it had even spread to members of his teaching staff.
“The virus has been hitting us hard every day. Fifty students were absent on Friday, 75 on Monday and 60 on Tuesday. We haven’t calculated today’s figure as yet, but I expect it to be right up there,” Wiltshire said.
“The children are coughing, sneezing, vomiting and getting diarrhoea. I actually just returned from the hospital because a student fainted during assembly. All of the classes have been affected, but it’s those in grades three to six that seem to be hit the hardest. Two of my teachers are also home with the flu.”
The Principal said he had sought the opinion of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Patrick Martin, who told him to alert parents to keep their children at home if they exhibited the aforementioned symptoms. He stressed that his staff was trying to take the necessary precautions, but without a vaccination, many students were still at risk.
Last week, Health Ministry officials verified that a vaccine for the H1N1 virus would not arrive in St. Kitts-Nevis until March 2010 at the earliest. The grim news came after the CMO confirmed that the Federation had recorded its sixth positive H1N1 test in Nevis.
Of the six diagnosed, a 28-year-old female has been the nation’s lone swine flu casualty.
Speaking exclusively to SKNVibes, Martin explained that the “vast majority” of the sick students would have the H1N1 virus, as it was the most common type of influenza that was circulating. However, he reiterated his consistent call for persons to avoid panicking and to maintain good hygienic practices.
“Most persons who have the H1N1 virus will recover within three to five days. There is no need to test everybody; that is only warranted in severe cases. Persons with severe cases will receive adequate treatment at the hospital,” said Martin.
According to Martin, Minister of Health Hon. Rupert Herbert is expected to make a statement on the rash of absences today (Nov. 18) in Parliament.
