Schools closed because of outbreak
Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Pond Inlet (Feb 12/01) - The flu bug has hit at least two Baffin communities in the last two weeks.
It was especially noticeable in the unusually quiet corridors of Inuksuit school in Qikiqtarjuaq after many of the students were stayed home, sick with the flu.
The outbreak kept nurses at health centres in Pond Inlet and Qikiqtarjuaq busy. They saw plenty of kids as well as adults as the virus weaved its way through the communities.
"The flu is everywhere," said Louise Vuillermin from Qikiqtarjuaq. She said many residents showed the symptoms of flu, high fever, fatigue and persistent cough.
"Some have had diarrhoea and vomiting," Vuillermin added. "It's just a matter of taking Tylenol and letting it pass."
Both Vuillermin and Heather Taylor, nurse in charge from Pond Inlet, stressed the flu is not more serious than usual but the sheer number of people taken ill is putting a strain on medical staff.
"We have been working after hours this week and last week," said Taylor.
Ulaajuk school in Pond Inlet closed Feb. 1 and 2 when almost half of the 240-odd students did not show up. It re-opened Feb. 5 but the number of students in classes was still low.
In Qikiqtarjuaq, just 47 of 148 students were present when classes were cancelled Feb. 5. Five staff were also sick.
Inuksuit school principal John Fisher said the flu has spared few.
"I don't think anyone is going to escape," he said. "Everyone I've talked to is either sick or in the process of getting sick."
Fisher has so far managed to avoid catching the vicious bug.
"So far, so good," he said. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed."
Nunavut Chief Medical Officer Ann Roberts said while the flu is making people sick, it's a "reasonably mild" strain and is already starting to ease.
"The (Pond Inlet) centre saw more folks than usual but things seem to be tailing off," she said.
