Education Officials Prepare for Swine Flu

State Health officials believe it's likely only a matter or time before swine flu is found in Mississippi. MPB's Stephen Koranda has more on what education officials are doing to prepare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends any schools with a case of swine flu close temporarily. Mississippi Superintendent of Education Hank Bounds says schools will close if there’s a case of swine flu confirmed. Friday he told reporters the time of year makes school closings difficult, because many students are taking end of year tests.

“At the end of the day, tests are way down the road on my level of concern when it comes to the big picture. I would rather us not have tests this year and keep boys and girls safe.”

Bounds is pushing for parents and teachers to focus on hygiene, by showing children how to properly cover sneezes and making sure they wash their hands frequently. Officials at Mississippi’s universities and colleges are also looking at how to react to swine flu. Interim Commissioner of Higher Education, Aubrey Lucas, says if swine flu becomes a problem at the state’s universities, closing the campus may not be a good option.

“We can close a campus, but it’s difficult to do, because at our comprehensive universities there are research projects that have to be monitored. The teaching part could perhaps be closed.”

Lucas says they could also consider sending ill students home, to try and keep swine flu out of the colleges’ dormitories. He says higher learning institutions may be able to dodge any major problems, because most of the state’s colleges have ended the spring semester, or will this week.