(WXYZ) — Marcus Garvey Academy in Detroit is reopening its doors Monday morning after confirmed cases of Haemophilus influenza. A bout of illnesses caused it to shut down for several days last week.
But while doors are reopening, not everyone is welcome back.
"This is really important. If you have symptoms, please do not come to school."
Following the unfortunate death of kindergartner Alycia Meriweather, the deputy superintendent is pleading with parents to keep their kids home and see a doctor if any flu-like symptoms develop. Haemophilus influenza is described as a bacterial infection that can lead to flu-like symptoms.
"If you see them, stop. Do not send child. Fever and chills, cough, shortness of breath, sweating, chest pain, headache, diarrhea, altered mental status," Dr. Claudia Richardson with the health department said.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District released the following statement Monday:
"The District and school have communicated to parents through our robo call system, and a Teams parent meeting on Friday in collaboration with the Detroit Health Department, and there will be a Detroit Health Department letter going home with students today. We are asking parents to actively monitor their children’s health and ensure that students stay home if they have flu-like symptoms. As always, we need to ensure that students are fully vaccinated with all of the state’s immunization requirements to attend school. We can assist parents with these requirements through our immunization outreach. At Marcus Garvey, we have seen cases of the Haemophilus (H) influenza. This is a bacterial infection that can lead to flu-like symptoms and can be controlled through the required state vaccination series. We have a nurse on site that will continue to monitor student health and assist students, staff, and families if students attend school and feel ill. After closing the school, which allowed students to isolate and for the school to be deep cleaned and disinfected, we are comfortable with the safety and health of our staff, students, and families."
According to the CDC, the Haemophilus infuenza can cause many different kinds of infections like pneumonia, bloodstream infections, meningitis and more. The symptoms depend on the part of the body that is infected.
The CDC said there is a vaccine for young children, and it recommends multiple shots of the vaccine, with shots at the following ages: two months, four months, six months and 12-15 months.
