San Diego County Public Health Services is investigating a large, suspected outbreak of respiratory and flu-like symptoms reported among students at Patrick Henry High School.
PHHS Principal Michelle Irwin noted, “I can confirm that there is a high number of absences at Henry High School due to probable influenza. So far COVID tests have been negative but several students have tested positive for flu. Typical signs and symptoms include cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, and other upper respiratory infection symptoms. We are in close contact with San Diego County Public Health.”
Irwin went on to remind students, staff and parents that masks can help prevent many respiratory infections aside from COVID, like flu.
“School is open,” Irwin said. “There are some teachers out absent but majority of absences are with our students. As a staff we know that these are extraordinary times and will pivot the normal pacing so students don’t fall behind.”
On a normal school day, PHHS has some 2,600 students on campus, with around 200 staff and teachers working.
Although the County reports daily several hundred COVID-19 cases, and is already seeing a rapid and early start to flu season, it is too early to determine the cause of the suspected outbreak at the school as test results are pending.
So far, no hospitalizations have been linked to the illness investigation at Patrick Henry High School.
Local hospitals, including Rady Children’s Hospital, reported a recent uptick in emergency room visits due to flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. The County is evaluating the possibility of other schools reporting similar outbreaks.
“We are coordinating with local school districts and are checking with other school campuses to try and figure out why so many students have been affected so suddenly,” Cameron Kaiser, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer said.”
A total of 304 lab-confirmed influenza cases were reported last week, bringing the total for the season that started on July 3 to 1,082. At the same time last year, the County had reported only 200 influenza cases.
