Three students at Rosemont Middle School and one student at Crescenta Valley High School have been confirmed with the type A influenza, H1N1 virus.

Dr. Richard Sheehan, Glendale district assistant superintendent, has become somewhat of an expert on the subject of the subject of the H1N1 flu. He said he had been told by public health officials that testing for the H1N1 flu strain is rare.

“Right now, what I have been told is they are testing for Type A [influenza]. The H1N1 test is much more involved and [the results] take a long time,” he said.

Since traditional flu season begins a few months from now, anyone with flu-like symptoms at this point probably has the H1N1 influenza, said Ken August, spokesman for the California Department of Public Health.

“I talked to the [student’s] mother and found out that the symptoms were coughing and a fever,” said CVHS Principal Linda Evans.

Evans went a step further and contacted the student’s pediatrician, with her parents’ permission.

“The pediatrician’s office confirmed that she had tested for Type A influenza,” Evans said.

Sheehan has taken the lead at the district in preparing for a predicted outbreak. All schools now have hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes for the keyboards in the schools’ computer labs.

“We have sent out notices, we will use our ConnectEd phone system and have sent out e-mail notices to parents,” said CVHS Principal Linda Evans.

Rosemont Principal Michele Doll said the school’s PTA is going to be updating its website with prevention information concerning H1N1 and advised parents to visit the district website.

The H1N1 vaccine is scheduled to be available in October. August said that children to young adults up to 24 years old should get the vaccine.  Sheehan advises that all parents check with their personal doctor concerning the vaccination.

  H1N1, virus