Lafayette school closes because of flu concerns

• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Apr 29, 2009 - UPDATED: 3:40 p.m.

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Cathedral Carmel School in Lafayette will remain closed until at least Monday after five sick students tested positive for a virus that accompanies the “swine flu,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said Wednesday.

Jindal said school officials accepted a state health agency recommendation that the school close as a “precautionary” measure until further tests can be completed.

The students are all sixth graders, Jindal said. One of them had been in Mexico in the last two weeks — where the swine flu outbreak is believed to have originated, he said.

Jindal said the initial test taken at either Lafayette hospitals or doctors offices have been sent to the state health office for testing. If it’s a new strain of flu that the state cannot type, the sample will be sent to the federal Center for Disease Control, he said.

“It’s prudent and responsible for the school to be closed,” said Jindal. He said it would allow the treatment of students and prevent the spread of the virus.

“Every parent should be monitoring their children for symptoms” that include 100 degree-plus fever, sore throat, body aches and lethargy, Jindal said.