Parents Concerned after Probable H1N1 Diagnosis | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Fresno, CA Health officials have confirmed California's fourth H1N1 flu virus death. The middle-aged man was from Orange County and had pre-existing health conditions.

Meanwhile, Valley school officials said a student diagnosed with a probable case of the virus, will be able to graduate Monday night with the rest of her class.

In following this story, we wanted to know if attendance has been low because of this probable H1N1 case. Action News contacted Fresno Unified for attendance records, they said there is a slight increase in absences Monday compared to this time last year.

School officials said the female student diagnosed has been cleared by the health department and will graduate with the rest of her class Monday.

Senior Michael Brown will soon graduate from Roosevelt High School. He's not worried that one of his classmates was recently diagnosed with a probable case of the H1N1 virus. "I don't mind. I think he deserves to graduate like everyone else, I don't think they should be separated just because he has the swine flu or she."

There are mixed feelings on campus with students who are finishing final exams this week. "It's like no big deal, nobody's talking about it, but like my friend she stayed home," said junior Victoria Garcia.

On Friday and throughout the weekend, school janitors wiped down desks and sprayed the entire school with sanitizer; yet some parents are still concerned. "Even though they cleaned, it's a big place and there are a lot of students back and forth through there and who knows how long she's been sick before they found out about it," said Roosevelt parent Ruth Vialla.

Susan Bedi with Fresno Unified School District said the district is operating under the direction of the Public Health Department. She said they cannot comment on how long the student attended school before becoming sick. "There are no other students that have had this flu like symptoms."

While school officials are looking at this as an isolated incident, one parent is concerned with having the H1N1 virus so close to home. "I'm not too far from here and I know my daughter is going to be starting summer school and I'm kinda worried about it," said Ruth Vialla.

Students Action News talked with Monday said they would like the school to take extra precautions, such as providing more hand sanitizing stations.

Roosevelts Senior Graduation will be held Monday night at the Save Mart Center at 8:00 p.m.