300 + Flu Related Absences Reported In Shakopee

Cover your cough. Especially if you live in the Shakopee area as news outlets are reported that more than 300 flu-related student absences have been reported at West Middle School in Shakopee.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, school districts are required to contact the MDH  when 5% of the student body is absent due to flu-like illnesses or symptoms. According to the report form, "Influenza-like illness (ILI) is defined as a fever of 100.0°F or greater and cough or sore throat (in the absence of a known disease other than influenza)."

Right now, ILI activity in the state is considered to be moderate. The state department of health puts out a flu activity report weekly indicating cases of influenza reported. 

BringMeTheNews.com reported that "More than 300 students at a Shakopee's West Middle School were off sick Monday after a flu outbreak. It comes after another local school, Sun Path Elementary, reported more than 100 absences for flu-related illnesses last week, out of a total number of 593 students."

According to a post on the Shakopee School Districts website, the number of student absences counted as ILI being reported as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 17:

• West Middle School: 29.12%
• Sun Path Elementary School: 19.76%
• Sweeney Elementary School: 8.12%
• East Middle School: 6.86%
• Red Oak Elementary School: 5.85%
• Jackson Elementary: 4.78%
• Eagle Creek Elementary: 4.67%
• Shakopee High School: 3.34%
• Tokata Learning Center: 3.19%

"The school district is closely monitoring the situation, and hoping the situation has or is close to peaking in all impacted buildings. If things worsen, the district may need to take further actions in an effort to keep students and staff healthy and safe."