By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
Swift County Monitor-News
So far, Benson Public Schools students have not been hit by a widespread outbreak of influenza; students in some nearby schools haven’t been so fortunate.
“Over the past couple of weeks, influenza has reached high levels in both the Dawson/Boyd and Lac qui Parle Valley school districts causing cancellation of sporting events and practices,” Dawn Bjorgan, a registered nurse with Countryside Public Health, said. Other schools in the area are also seeing increasing cases.
Countryside serves Swift, Lac qui Parle, Chippewa, Yellow Medicine and Big Stone counties.
The Minnesota Department of Health does not recommend schools close to prevent infectious disease transmission, however, schools may choose to close if there are not enough staff to function normally, she said.