Detroit school closed due to high levels of flu-like symptoms reports two cases of bacterial illness

CNN
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After a series of student illnesses led to the temporary closure of a Detroit school, the district says two students have been diagnosed with the bacterial illness. Haemophilus influenzae.

two students in Marcus Garvey Academy were diagnosed with H. flu, Chrystal Wilson, assistant superintendent of communications for the Detroit Public Schools Community District, said Friday.

The pre-K to eighth-grade school closed this week after “several students” in the lower grades became ill. Wilson said fewer than 25 of the school’s 310 students were sick.

The school will reopen Monday, he said.

Earlier this week, he said, the school “experienced an unusually high rate of flu-like symptoms, including fever and vomiting in students, particularly in the early grades.”

The closure also followed the death last week of a kindergartner attending Marcus Garvey Academy, the school district said in a statement.

The student’s cause of death is pending, the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office said Friday.

“The student came to school with flu-like symptoms,” Wilson said.

Haemophilus influenzaeor H. flu, is an illness caused by bacteria that can lead to illnesses such as ear infections and bronchitis or more serious bloodstream infections, says the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. same as illness caused by influenza viruses.

“These bacteria live in people’s noses and throats and usually do no harm. However, the bacteria can sometimes move to other parts of the body and cause an infection,” says the CDC.

The bacterium is spread through airborne particles and usually infects children younger than 5 years or adults 65 years and older.

Vaccines for Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) are recommended for children 2 months and older, according to the CDC, but do not protect against other types of H flu.

The Detroit Department of Health said in a statement Wednesday that it is working with the school district to monitor illnesses and reminded the public that vaccines are available.

“The Detroit Department of Health offers vaccines to children and adults to protect against many childhood diseases,” he said. “Vaccines are also available at pediatric centers and primary care providers.”