by Mark Sproxton
Northern News Services

NNSL (DEC 02/96) - Staff locked up the school in Tuktoyaktuk Friday because half of the 200 students were home sick, said Mayor Eddie Dillon.

It's one of the most wide-spread cold bugs to hit the community in years.

"The community's been hit," he said. "A lot of the teachers were feeling symptoms. "They just figured it would get worse if it was allowed to go on."

For a bug to hit this time of year isn't unusual, a member of the nursing station staff said.

But Dillon, who has three kids home sick, said it is one of the worst illnesses he's seen in a long, long time.

"The kids wake up in the middle of the night crying with headaches." They're also suffering from coughs and fevers, he added.

Students and teachers aren't the only people suffering from the cold.

"Some of our office staff are gone and some are fighting through this week," Dillon said Friday.

The illness is likely a cold virus with flu-like symptoms, said Dr. Andre Corriveau, medical health officer with the territorial government, Friday morning.

It is not likely a strain of the true "influenza" because there has been little flu activity across the country so far this year, he said.

For those who have not caught the bug, Corriveau said hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent catching the illness.

"If you sneeze into your hand and shake hands or grab a door knob the virus can be transferred," he said. "Hand washing is very important."

It is also recommended not to share cups or cigarettes for the same reason.

The situation in Tuk is not unusual, Corriveau added. With the cold weather, people tend to stay indoors, meaning cold bugs have to travel shorter distances to reach more people.

Mangilaluk School was expected to be back in business as usual today.