Fewer students are missing school because of the flu than originally anticipated, according to school officials.
In an e-mail sent out Monday, McDuffie Schools Superintendent Jim LeBrun announced local schools are experiencing 6 percent to 7 percent absenteeism of the approximately 4,050 system-wide enrollment.
"Under the circumstances, I believe that is pretty good," Mr. LeBrun said in the e-mail. "I see no reason to believe our current flu will balloon into epidemic proportions."
Mr. LeBrun added that there is no viable reason to close any school at this time.
The announcement came after several meetings with other school officials and the local health board were held to discuss the swine flu, or H1N1, and how to control it in the schools. The new flu virus is attacking children more than older people, according to local health experts.
