Ernest Ward Parents Called About Virus; No Cause For Alarm, Principal Says

October 14, 2008

virus.jpgThe principal at Ernest Ward Middle School says there is no cause for alarm following a phone call that notified parents about a student with a virus at the school.

The Connect-Ed phone call made Friday notified Ernest Ward parents that a student at the school was hospitalized with a virus and that students should wash their hands frequently.

“There’s no need for parents to worry,” Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said Monday afternoon. “The phone call was just a precaution.”

A student at the school was taken to Jay Hospital Friday with a fever and a backache. The student was later transferred to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola for further tests.

There was some possible concern that the student might have bacterial meningitis, but that was 100 percent not the case, Perry said. The student did have a virus, but it was not meningitis or anything else that would cause serious concern for the other students at the school.

The student was back at school Monday, having been given a clean bill of health by his doctors and the Escambia County Health Department, Perry said.

The phone call was made Friday prior to the student’s diagnosis just a precaution, she said, and as a reminder of good health common sense. The call urged parents to remind their students to wash their hands frequently, as is always recommended by health officials, to prevent the spread of germs.

“There is a ‘bug’ going around right now,” Perry said. “It’s causing students to miss one or two days of school, and they have a fever, vomiting and a headache. But it’s nothing serious.”

“There is just nothing to worry about,” she stressed.

Comments

4 Responses to “Ernest Ward Parents Called About Virus; No Cause For Alarm, Principal Says”

  1. tt on October 20th, 2008 10:46 am

    Speaking of bus drivers, this week is bus driver appreciation week:) Remember them with at least a thank you. But I’m sure they would accept chocolate and or other gifts:)

    I am glad the school informed the families and the child is well and back to school.

  2. Beegee on October 15th, 2008 3:05 pm

    I think it would be an even better idea to let parents know the truth………and AMEN,bus driver!!!! you are so right…….folks tend to forget about the bus driver in more ways than one!!!! Hello,this is what continues contagious diseases…….and one way to help the spreading of such is education to all people who might be in contact with infectious people!!!!! This does include bus drivers!!!!

  3. Bus Driver on October 14th, 2008 7:06 pm

    It would be nice if someone at the school would let the bus drivers know ! We do come in contact with the kids everyday !

  4. KIM on October 14th, 2008 1:28 pm

    I think it is a great idea to let parents know when there an outbreak of any kind at their school. It will put them a step ahead on taking precautions. And thats what us parent need, is to be at least one step ahead.