Baker Lake (Feb 08/06) - Students at both schools in Baker Lake got a few unexpected days off recently.

The schools were shut down due to an illness that has attacked the community.

Rachel Arngnammaktiq school - the elementary school - closed on Jan. 26. Jonah Amitnaaq school - the high school - followed suit on Jan. 30.

"It was building over a couple of days. We only had 60 per cent attendance (on Jan. 26)," said Rachel Arngnammaktiq principal Patrick Garrah.

That school usually has attendance of 80 to 90 per cent, so Garrah knew he had a problem.

"It's a stomach flu and strep throat, but we have only had one staff member out," said Garrah.

After the elementary school closed, the high school stayed open. Once the line-up started at the health centre, Garrah knew that the high school would soon close, too.

"On the weekend, the (high school) kids started to show up at the health centre, so we knew then," said Garrah.

The department of health and social services would not confirm what illness - whether it is an actual flu or just flu-like symptoms - is afflicting the community.

They also could not confirm how many people have needed treatment outside of Baker Lake.

"It is an influenza-like illness, but we don't have confirmation that it is influenza," said Nancy Campbell, the spokesperson for health and social services.

There is no hockey in Baker Lake because the hamlet has closed the arena due to the outbreak.

Daycare was closed, too, due to a judgement call by the nurse in change.

"The demand was high enough at the health centre to have people on 24 hours a day," said Campbell.

Both schools opened last Thursday, with about 60 per cent attendance at the elementary school, said Garrah.

"On Friday I didn't notice near the amount of sniffling and coughing," said Garrah.

Attendance has since climbed steadily each day, he said.