After a kindergartener died, Detroit officials are currently probing a possible outbreak of undisclosed diseases at Marcus Garvey Academy.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District announced on Wednesday that the school has been hit by a high rate of flu-like symptoms.
The common symptoms that the children have been experiencing include vomiting and fevers, which are prominent in their younger students.
Although the cause of the kindergartner's death has not yet been determined, officials are not ruling out the possibility that it could be related to the outbreak. The school has been closed for deep cleaning and is not set to reopen until Monday.
Detroit Public Schools' Possible Respiratory Illness Outbreak
As reported by the Associated Press, the Detroit Health Department is leading the investigation, working closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the school district.
Parents and caregivers of children aged four to seven have been advised to monitor them for symptoms and seek medical care immediately if they experience fever, vomiting, lethargy, headache, nausea, or abdominal pain.
Dr. Claudia Richardson, medical director for the Detroit Health Department, stated that the agency is assessing an apparent increase in illnesses amongst students at Marcus Garvey Academy.
The cause of the outbreak has not yet been confirmed, but some experts believe that the continued circulation of respiratory viruses may be contributing to the spread of the illness.
Dr. Kevin Dazy, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Michigan, suggests that this may be due to the city's ongoing winter weather, which has caused children to spend more time indoors this spring.
He further explained that it is not uncommon to see another wave of respiratory illnesses at this time of the year.
While the hospital has not reported any patients connected to the Garvey Academy outbreak, Dr. Dazy believes that the confined spaces in classrooms make it easy for one child to infect others.
The Lack of Identification and Delayed Diagnoses
Although it is still unclear why the source of the outbreak has not yet been identified, doctors often test less for respiratory viruses during off-peak seasons.
This could delay the diagnosis of such outbreaks. Dr. Dazy noted that it is still challenging to identify the root cause of the Garvey Academy outbreak, and the lack of early testing might have contributed to the delay.
Dr. Mark Rosenthal stated that respiratory ailments are prevalent in both adults and children, however, children's lungs may be more susceptible to complications like infections, which can have severe consequences.
Typical viral respiratory infections that affect children are coughs, influenza, colds, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Children's Center Temporarily Closed Due to an Outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
According to NBC, in a separate incident, a Detroit daycare facility, the Focus: HOPE Center for Children, closed temporarily for deep cleaning because of an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
The center has reported 17 cases as of Tuesday, and it is scheduled to reopen on Monday.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a mild illness that spreads easily through droplets from coughs or sneezes or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. While it is common in infants and children under five, it is unlikely to be related to the outbreak at Garvey Academy.
The outbreak at Marcus Garvey Academy is still being investigated, and the cause of the illnesses remains unknown.
Parents and caregivers are urged to remain vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if their children exhibit any symptoms of flu-like illnesses.
The health department is expected to provide further updates as the investigation continues.
