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Rio Rancho Public Schools spokeswoman Kim Vesely said the preliminary test results indicate the possibility of the virus and the district is waiting for confirmation from the New Mexico Department of Health.
“We’ve had a death at Rio Rancho Elementary,” Vesely said. “A letter has been sent home to parents at that school and an automated call will go out to parents in the entire district tonight. We’re terribly sad and our hearts are breaking for the family.”
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The letter that was sent out to parents from Rio Rancho Elementary Principal Barbara Bruce said, "The student was a wonderful, bright child from a wonderful young family. We are heartbroken at their loss and express our condolences to the family."
The letter went on to discuss the district's plans for dealing with H1N1's presence in the school.
"The fact that we have lost a child does not change the basic facts about the H1N1 flu. The vast majority of people who contract the flu fully recover. Preventive measures to the spread of colds and flu continue to remain your child’s best defense against catching not only H1N1, but colds and the regular 'seasonal' flu as well. Ill children should be kept home for at least 24 hours after they are fever-free without the use of medication. Children should be encouraged to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing, and to cough into a tissue or into their elbow or shoulder (not their hands). "
Bruce added in the letter that, "Most children who get the flu will recover just fine at home, but parents should seek urgent or emergency care for children displaying any of the following symptoms which can be signs of complications or a more severe illness:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids (dehydration)
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
"The CDC and DOH also strongly recommend that all school-age children be vaccinated against the seasonal flu and also against H1N1 when the vaccine becomes available. You may wish to discuss this with your family doctor. Rio Rancho Public Schools is in contact with DOH and will provide information as soon as we receive it on where students may receive the vaccine. If we are requested to do so, we will make our schools available as vaccination centers."
Check back for updates at obsever-online.com, and read Sunday’s issue of the Rio Rancho Observer for the full story.
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