Flu outbreak closes Lake County school

LEESBURG, Fla. — A Lake County school has closed after a large number of students came down with the flu.
 
Saint Paul Catholic School closed because officials said too many students and staff had flu-like symptoms.
 
Health Department officials said they normally see 12 to 15 cases a week in the county, but last week they saw 70.

"When you get a group of people together that don't have their immunity up, or don't have shots for whatever reason, but once it gets a foothold in that facility, then it takes off," DOH official Bill Toth said.

Officials said the school’s case is rare, but the strain is covered by the vaccine being used this flu season.

School leaders and workers are spending the day disinfecting classrooms based on Health Department wipe-down procedures.

Classes are expected to resume on Wednesday.

Cox Media Group