Omaha, NE:  The tiny N1H1 bug, commonly known as the Swine Flu, is causing big worries for schools preparing for fall classes across the country.  School officials here in Omaha are taking action to prevent a surge of the illness. 

Sharon Wade with Omaha Public Schools tells Action 3 News she has heard the virus is expected to come back during the cool weather season.  "It's supposed to come back and I hear it's going to be stronger in the fall and cause more significant symptoms," she says.

To get ahead of a possible outbreak in area schools, Omaha Public Schools Administrators are planning on sending home a letter the first week of school.  The nurse says, "We'll be reviewing with staff at schools and with families, signs and symptoms which would where they would need to keep their children at home."  The hope is if parents and school staff recognize the symptoms, "They might prevent with so that the school nurse can identify it and visit with the parents about the possibility of the student having influenza," says Wade. In addition the district is planning to disinfect buildings and to encourage hand washing to prevent the spread of the Swine Flu. 

Even universities are taking action to fight a possible Swine Flu outbreak come fall semester. At the University of Nebraska-Omaha, staff are hanging signs up listing the symptoms of Swine Flu.  Other fliers remind students of simple smart health precautions such as: avoiding close contact, staying home when you are sick, covering your mouth and nose when caughing or sneezing, washing your hands and practicing good health habits.

Creighton University is going further.  Tanya Wineguard says administrators are requiring all professors to set up a modified course delivery. "Some are looking into online virtual learning we do have that infrastructure in place to do that. Some are looking at compressing the classroom and the semester," says Wineguard.  School administrators are even thinking of how to adjust the school calendar, should classes need to be canceled because of a Swine Flu outbreak.

While all schools are planning for an outbreak, everyone agrees it's a waiting game to see if and when the Swine Flu comes back. Health officials continue to work on a vaccination for the N1H1, however do not know when it will be ready.  Another question is how much of the drug will be available for everyone. 

Reported By: Liz Dorland; ldorland@action3news.com

Reported By: Liz Dorland; ldorland@action3news.com