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Winter Illnesses in 2025 approach record levels
By Virginia Ekstrand
Feb. 13, 2025 12:00 am
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has reported an increase in student sicknesses across the state. A few schools have closed because of high levels of absenteeism. The Laurens-Marathon Community School District sent students home due to 27% absenteeism, Custodians and staff cleaned and sanitized the Elementary building in an effort to stop widespread infection. School districts report to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services when a building reaches an absentee threshold of 10%. Data released Jan. 25 showed more than 100 school buildings statewide were impacted by illness. Thirty more schools had joined the list in just one week.
In January of this year, the CDC reported a surge in influenza, RSV and COVID visits to emergency rooms. The surge has continued. The New London Nurse has issued a reminder to all parents and guardians regarding school rules and recommendations when children become ill. Her flyer contains the following information.
IF YOUR CHILD HAS:
- A fever of 100 degrees or more, your child may return to school when they have been without a fever for 24 hours. This means your child must be fever free without the use of a fever reducing medication such as Tylenol or Motrin.
- Been diagnosed with a strep infection, your child must be on antibiotics for 24 hours and without a fever for 24 hours before returning to school.
- Been diagnosed with conjunctivitis (pink eye). Your child must be on antibiotic eye drops for 24 hours before returning to school.
- Vomited and/or had diarrhea within the last 24 hours. Your Child must be without vomiting of diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.
- A persistent cough that will make learning difficult for them or their classmates. They may return when it improves.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Our children must be healthy in order to learn. If you are unsure if your child should come to school, please feel free to call and speak with the school nurse or office staff at 319.367.0507.
Henry County Public Health has many ways to help families. Check out their Immunization schedules and other information regarding health in our county. https://healthyhenrycounty.org/publichealth/ Keep the entire New London community as healthy as possible.
