City denies flu outbreak; doctors, schools paint different picture Published: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 8:47 PM CDT Dora Gamez began experiencing flu-like symptoms two weeks ago, her fever running high and her body aching from head to toe. As soon as she got well, though, her 10-year-old son, Demetrio, fell ill. Gamez was among the parents who took their children Wednesday to Farias Elementary School to vaccinate them from influenza. Local officials say reports of flu-like illness are on the rise in Laredo communities. Last week, Laredo and United ISD officials said their schools have seen absences increase as nurses are sending home students who exhibit symptoms — including high fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, sore throat and cough. Dr. Francisco Cervantes, a local pediatrician, said he saw 78 patients two weeks ago who tested positive for influenza B. The City of Laredo Health Department has said influenza B represents a majority of the 11 cases that it has confirmed locally. Last week, Cervantes saw about 40 cases, approximately the same amount he has seen through Tuesday this week. He noted that he does not report confirmed cases to the city Health Department. Cervantes said “this week is going to be the peak or the beginning of the worst.” Because only 11 cases had been confirmed as of last week, the city health department has not declared a flu outbreak. City health department director Dr. Hector Gonzalez did not respond to an email Wednesday requesting the latest information on influenza cases. Read more about this story in tomorrow’s print and online editions. Subscribe to LMT at our webstore. Despite adopting unbalanced budget, county keeps bond rating comments to this story. -->

Comments (0)

Log in to make a comment.