By Earyel Bowleg

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

BOTH the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Wellness are keeping an eye on an outbreak of a flu-like disease at Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School in Cat Island.

Education director Dominique Russell-McCartney said on Friday that seven teachers and 40 students have shown flu-like symptoms, although the school has only 48 students in total. She said the Ministry of Health had begun an investigation. 

She said there has been an increase in flu-like symptoms among staff at the Department of Education.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville provided an update to The Tribune from the ministry’s surveillance team. It said all affected children, teachers, and staff have been assessed and treated appropriately and that the ministry "remains vigilant".

Bethel Turner, the school’s principal, said the outbreak began about two weeks ago. The school saw several students return from New Providence after the holidays with flu symptoms, leading to further infections.

Some students visited the clinic and received medication. Several teachers also fell ill but have since recovered and returned to school. 

Ms Turner said the flu spread quickly due to the small size of the school and the close connections among students.

The school required students to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and follow hygiene protocols to curb the spread. Last week, janitors conducted a deep cleaning for two days in classrooms while students stayed home.

Ms Russell-McCartney said education officials called in the Department of Environmental Health.

“We did get a deep cleaning for that school, but we also sent out a missive willing to say that parents please keep students home who are not well if they are presenting with symptoms.”