(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is investigating the cause of a pneumonia-like illness affecting Hiawatha students.

Confirmation is delivered in a statement posted to the USD 415 website by Superintendent Lonnie Moser.

Calling the statement an update to a news release issued Tuesday, Moser says representatives of KDHE visited with district officials on Wednesday as they try to find sources for the illness.

He added that there are now more confirmed cases of the illness among the school population.

Noting that a "considerable number of students" were sent home Wednesday based on district protocol, Moser said it does not mean those particular students have the illness, only that the district is taking precautions in order to mitigate this issue and protect our students and staff."

In the earlier release, the school district explained that any student showing a fever of 100 degrees or greater should be kept home from school until fever-free for 24-hours, without the use of medication.

Also, students with a cough should be kept home until it’s resolved or cleared by a physician. Students who attend with a cough may be sent home.

According to the updated release, the district, the Brown County Health Department, and Hiawatha Community Hospital continue to collaborate and communicate multiple times daily.

The releases from the district follow an increase in patients experiencing fever and cough in Hiawatha.

A news release issued Wednesday by Hiawatha Community Hospital says the Family Practice and Emergency Room have seen the increase, with the majority of patients between the ages of 9 and 14.

Due to the illness, the school district has cancelled all activities planned for Thursday evening, September 12. 

 

Editor's note: Below is the story as it first appeared after the issuance of the first round of news releases. 

(KNZA)--An increase in patients experiencing fever and cough is noted in Hiawatha.

That’s confirmed in a news release issued by Hiawatha Community Hospital, which says the Family Practice and Emergency Room have seen the increase, with patients ranging in age from 9 to 32. The majority of patients are between the ages of 9 and 14, with sore throat and headache also named as symptoms seen in the patients.

The hospital is recommending that anyone experiencing a fever of 100. 4 for three days, with a cough, to see a medical provider. If a patient, including children, has another underlying respiratory illness, such as asthma, the hospital is recommending an immediate visit, not to exclude emergency care.

In conjunction with the information provided by the hospital, Hiawatha’s USD 415 has issued a separate release, stating that there has been “a handful of cases of a pneumonia-like illness” diagnosed in the community and schools.

The school district’s policy regarding illness is clarified in the release, which says that any student showing a fever of 100 degrees or greater should be kept home from school until fever-free for 24-hours, without the use of medication.

Also, students with a cough should be kept home until it’s resolved or cleared by a physician. Students who attend with a cough may be sent home.

Based on what the release calls the advice of medical professionals, all scheduled school activities will take place as planned, and school will remain in session.