Flu Season Grips North Texas

DALLAS - A medical examiner in Tarrant County is trying to determine if a teen’s death was related to the flu.

At the same time, a middle school in Fairview was closed Monday because of an outbreak of the flu and Dallas County health officials say many parents are rushing to have their children immunized.

The Tarrant County Health Department said it is still investigating whether the d eath of a 14-year-old student was related to the flu .

Officials said the eighth grade student at Leonard Middle School in Fort Worth died at a local hospital on Sunday. Few details have been released, but officials the flu may have contributed to her death.

The Fort Worth Independent School District sent a letter home with the girl’s classmates on Monday. The district said it disinfected the campus over the weekend as a precaution.

In the Lovejoy Independent School District, officials said Sloan Creek Middle School was closed Monday because of a flu outbreak. Classes resume on Tuesday, though officials hope parents won’t send sick students back too soon.

“Do not come back to school until you’ve been fever free for 24 hours without Advil or Ibuprofen,” said district spokeswoman Cindy Booker.

Worried parents in Dallas County flooded the health department wanting flu and immunization shots for their children. On Monday line for shots stretched out the door and 60 yards down the street.

“There’s a lot of children sick and stuff like that so we need to get our immune systems ready for it,” said parent Erica Sanchez.

Health officials think the increased demand for season flu shots is being driven, in large part, by recent flu deaths.

“This year with H1N1, with the two deaths, we’re seeing an interest in parents and that’s great,” said health department spokesman Zachary Thompson. “We’re seeing a large number of parents coming just for the flu shots and that’s very encouraging.

Season flu shots are widely available across North Texas. But, swine flu shots won’t be available until at least next Monday. Health officials expect people will be able to get them from a family physician.