HORATIO, Ark. (AP) A southwest Arkansas school district has closed for the
week because of a flu outbreak.
Horatio Public Schools announced on its Facebook page more than 300 of its estimated 950 students have been out sick, as well as some teachers at the school about 130 miles (209 kilometers) southwest of Little Rock.
Horatio Superintendent Lee Smith told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette it’s the first time he’s canceled school because of flu. Smith said the outbreak may be due to the low number of students who received flu shots this year, estimating that about 170 students were vaccinated.
The Arkansas Department of Health has reported 17 deaths during the current flu
season, including one juvenile.
Arkansas recorded 227 deaths last flu season, the most on record for the past
three decades.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI