Even though 6 major mass gatherings, including the annual National Agriculture and Trade Show, were cancelled late last week and into the Labor Day weekend, the Primary School Examination proceeded on Monday. However, 32 students were called aside at centers for the Primary School Examinations (PSE) today, because they were manifesting symptoms feared to be linked to the swine flu influenza A(H1N1) outbreak across 21 countries.
Yvonne Davis, Principal Education Officer at the Examination Unit, told Amandala this evening that the Ministry of Education had decided that as a precaution, students who showed up with any symptoms that fit the bill for the flu, would be referred for medical attention after their data such as name, address, and other particulars were documented.
The largest number of cases was reported in Cayo, with a preliminary figure of 15, while another 8 were reported from Toledo – 3 of them from Jalacte and the remainder from Punta Gorda Town.
There were surprisingly no cases reported for Corozal, the district bordering Mexico, dubbed the epicenter of the swine flu outbreak.
Meanwhile, two students were pulled aside in Stann Creek, two in Belize City and five in Orange Walk, bringing the total preliminary estimate to 32.
According to Davis, examination centers were outfitted with stocks of masks, gloves, and hygiene products such as soap, sanitizers and tissue, and the established protocol for students showing up at PSE centers with symptoms was to have them isolated and outfitted with masks while their data was being documented before referring them for treatment.
She stressed that the students may not have necessarily had the swine flu or any flu at all, but had to be referred for medical treatment as a precautionary measure if they displayed symptoms.
One of the two cases reported in Belmopan was cleared by medics there and that student was allowed to sit today’s PSE.
One case of illness in which the student was crying and vomiting could have been anxiety, an official said.
Amandala understands from Davis that the Ministry of Education would now do the following: (1) follow up to see if the students were taken by their parents to clinics to get medical attention, (2) determine the legitimacy of the cases of students who did not sit the PSE, and (3) determine when the students unable to sit today’s exams could do their tests.
An estimated 6,500 students were counted this morning, said Davis. Roughly 200 less than the registered number don’t normally show up; these include students from Guatemala who come to Belize but are not interested in the certification required for Belize high schools, or students from specialized institutions such as the Young Women’s Christian Association and the 4 H Center.
It follows that if any of these students do end up being suspected or confirmed cases of the A (H1N1) influenza, the Ministry could very well consider whether it would follow precedents set in Mexico and the US, where schools attended by affected students, or students suspected to have the flu, were temporarily shut down.
This evening, Ministry of Education officials were called to an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.