5/11/2009

BENNINGTON — A male student at Bennington Elementary School has the H1N1 influenza virus, widely known as the swine flu, said Richard Harlan, superintendent of Twin Valley school district.

The student has not been in school since last Wednesday, he said.

“I think the boy’s doing fine. He won’t come back to school until late in this week, until his symptoms are completely gone,” Harlan said.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed Saturday a child in Ottawa County had tested positive for H1N1. To date, 22, cases have been confirmed in Kansas, according to a release from state health officials.

Ottawa County Health Department this morning referred questions to KDHE. KDHE did not immediately return a call requesting comment.

Harlan said Twin Valley has sent letters to all parents, and called parents with students in the boy’s grade level.

Harlan said the school has been “doing more disinfecting” since news two weeks ago of a Dickinson County couple with H1N1.

“We’re advising parents to keep their kids home when they show flu-life symptoms,” Harlan said. “You just want to be cautious.”

He said the family of the boy took him to be tested, and other children exhibiting flu symptoms have been tested.