Cases of swine flu are down in Vicksburg public schools, and local private schools report they’ve had minimal numbers of students with the illness.

Monday, 22 cases of doctor-diagnosed swine or H1N1 novel flu were reported in the Vicksburg Warren School District, down from 32 Friday. The number can include students as well as teachers and other staff members.

“Luckily our numbers have decreased,” said district nurse coordinator Cindy Nash. “Were sitting on pins and needles hoping they stay down.”

Administrators at Vicksburg Catholic School, Porters Chapel Academy and Vicksburg Community Schools said while there has been the normal experience of colds and a few students home with fevers, there have been no flu cases at the schools.

“We’ve been lucky,” said Porters Chapel Headmaster Doug Branning. “We’ve been cleaning desktops and door knobs, and emphasizing hygiene, particularly with our younger children.

Updated statistics Monday from the Mississippi Department of Health show five confirmed cases of swine flu in Warren County, an increase of one during the last seven days. Since May 15, 499 cases statewide have been confirmed, with one death in Jackson County.

Some students and staff previously reported with the swine flu have returned to area schools with no residual problems.

At Sherman Avenue Elementary, seven people were reported out with the illness Monday, but officials were encouraged because the number represented just two new cases, and formerly sick students and staff were beginning to return to school. “Just the fact that five that were the earliest cases have all returned, and all returned in just less than a week is a good sign,” said Principal Ray Hume. “Everything that the Centers for Disease Control says to do we have done.”

So far, the H1N1 virus has been milder than seasonal flu, Nash said.

Ill children need to be given plenty of fluids, Nash stressed, and students with fever should not return to school until their temperature, without medication, has been normal for at least one full day.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com