Mississippi’s 1st Swine Flu Death Has Schools Taking Precautions

A Mississippi child from the coast is the state’s first confirmed death from the swine flu.   
According to the health department, the child was from Jackson County and had a number of underlying chronic health problems which put the child at a higher risk.
The lab results came back Thursday—-confirming the child died from complications from the virus.
The family has asked to keep information about the child confidential.
We’re told the child died at the end of last month.
Health leaders say the child was early elementary school age.
So far, there have been 365 confirmed cases of swine the flu in Mississippi.
The cases are in the counties highlighted on this map.
With school right around the corner,  the number of cases is expected to grow.
“We’re concerned there will be transmission in the schools, if things go the way they did in the spring,“ said Dr. Mary Currier. “It didn’t really hit here until the end of the school year. There probably will be transmission in the schools.“
That’s why fourth grade teacher Jana Chao at Eastside Elementary School in Clinton, is not taking any chances in her classroom.
“There are ways to prevent things,“ said Chao.
Chao has stocked up on Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and is even hanging information posters in her classroom on why it’s important to wash your hands often.
She hopes it will prevent the swine flu from making its way into her classroom.
“It’s scary,“ said Chao. “You never want to hear about a child dying of swine flu, wouldn’t want to have a child come to your class and sit in a desk, get sick, and never come back.“
She also makes sure all her students cover their mouths when they cough and use a tissue, but this isn’t the first time Chao is taking precautions.
“It’s always important to make sure children know not only for their time in school, but that they know throughout their life how to prevent the spread of diseases,“ said Chao.