Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} For a second day about 10 percent of the students in Oak Park School District 97 have called in sick and school officials say the flu isn't the only disease to blame. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
“We’ve got cases of strep throat, we've got some kids who have upper respiratory conditions and some that are coming down with just the common cold so it's unfortunately a perfect storm,” said Chris Jasculca, Oak Park Elementary School’s senior director of policy, planning and communications.
To combat the spreading viruses cleaning crews have been working overtime and the district has been sending out a steady stream of cold and flu information to parents. Students said they have been getting a lot of reminders as well.
“The teachers have been telling us to wash our hands and to not get that close to each other,” said seventh-grader Griffin Weisman.
In response to the outbreak, public health officials conceded that this year’s flu shots have been less effective. What they don't know is how this flu season will pan out.
"Every influenza season is unpredictible, we're getting an esrly start this year but that doesn't mean it's going to be more severe or it's going to last longer," said Dr. Julie Morita, chief medical officer Chicago's Department of Public Health. "We just don't know."
