Holman residents beat flu-like outbreak
Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services
Holman (Jan 15/01) - Everything is back to normal for the residents of Holman after last week's flu outbreak.
Nurse Vivian Summers said there are two confirmed cases of Influenza Type-B in the hamlet.
Both patients are older students who are now in "satisfactory" condition.
"Their condition seems to be okay," said Summers.
Holman's school, hamlet office and arena were shut down Jan. 4 when at least sixty people, one third of the town's population, reported sore throats, aches and high fevers.
The closures were authorized by the Board of Education and the hamlet council after students didn't attend school and employees called in sick.
Summers said a majority of those who came down with flu-like symptoms were school-aged children and their parents.
"The majority of them are all recovering and we appear to be getting better up here now."
The school and all hamlet facilities were up and running again Jan. 10. Summers said things would have been back to normal sooner but for a windstorm last Monday.
It knocked out long distance service and kept municipal vehicles off the road.
Flu outbreaks are not abnormal at this time of year, Summers said. Anyone with flu-like symptoms should avoid contact with others as much as possible.
"It's always recommended that you stay home. It's common sense."
Summers wasn't affected by the bug herself - she made sure to get a flu shot last fall.
