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DUCHESNE — A Duchesne High School student has been diagnosed with the H1N1 strain of the influenza virus, according to a letter the Duchesne County School District sent to parents.
Dean Wilson, the district's director of student services, said the letter and other forms of notification were sent out Thursday based on the district's desire to protect students and maintain transparency.
"The second that we were made aware that a student had contracted H1N1, we made notification to parents via text messages (and) phone calls, as well as a hard copy letter," Wilson said Monday.
In the letter, parents were informed that a case of H1N1, more commonly known as "swine flu," had been confirmed at Duchesne High. The letter went on to provide parents with information about the signs and symptoms of the flu.
It also offered tips for preventing the spread of the virus, such as frequent hand-washing with soap and water, avoiding close contact with "sick people," and staying home from work or school for at least 24 hours after the onset of flu-like symptoms so as not to spread the virus.
The second that we were made aware that a student had contracted H1N1, we made notification to parents via text messages (and) phone calls, as well as a hard copy letter.
–Dean Wilson, district director of student services
"There is no immediate threat of infection," the letter states. "This is just to inform you that a case of H1N1 has been reported."
Jeramie Tubbs, spokeswoman for the TriCounty Health Department, said Monday that the agency had not received any laboratory confirmation of an H1N1 diagnoses. Tubbs added though that the health department usually receives a confirmation if a patient is hospitalized.
In the case of the Duchesne High student, Wilson said the parent provided the school with a doctor's note that identified the specific diagnosis. The student will not be allowed to return to school until the student is symptom-free or has been cleared by a doctor, Wilson said.
The vaccine being distributed for use during the 2014-15 flu season includes the H1N1 strain of the influenza A virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
