Test results to determine if viral flu on the rise
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Holman (Jan 08/01) - A flu-like illness shut down Holman's school, hamlet office and arena last week.
At least sixty residents, including the school's principal Helen Kitekudlak, were nursing inflamed throats, aching bones and rocketing fevers.
Nurse Vivian Summers won't call the outbreak viral flu until conclusive test results are in later this week.
"It's certainly more than a common cold but I wouldn't want people to panic," she said.
Secondary symptoms, such as pneumonia and ear infections, are a concern.
Dr. Michael Mulherin, medical health offier for the Inuvik region, is monitoring the situation.
Residents -- mainly school age children -- came down with sore throats, runny noses and fever on Christmas Eve. Last week alone, nearly a third of the town's 458 residents were waiting two or three hours to see Summers.
Her advice? Plenty of rest, Tylenol, fluids and don't be a martyr -- avoid going to school or work when symptoms appear.
Crowded indoor activities between Christmas and News Years helped spread the air borne germs, she said -- one reason hamlet and school officials told the school's 141 students and nine teachers to stay home last week.
Hamlet and arena staff went home Thursday afternoon after five of the office's eight staff members called in sick.
The shut down is not unusual this time of year, said mayor Gary Bristow, who remains in good health.
"We've done this before, maybe two years ago. It gives people a chance to rest up."
