Cleveland ISD reports 50 students out due to flu outbreak

CLEVELAND, TX (KTRK) -- Parents in Cleveland ISD are questioning why it took district officials days to notify them about a flu outbreak.

Superintendent Dr. Darrell Myers tells Eyewitness News there were 50 confirmed cases of flu Tuesday, but we've learned there were also 400 absences Tuesday and most are at the elementary school level.

"That's an alarming number of flu cases," said Michele McIntosh. Her son, Aaron, has been sick since Friday. His temperature reached its highest ever.

"It eventually progressed up to 104.8," said McIntosh.

The mother of three says it was only after she posted Aaron's diagnosis on social media that she learned of the hundreds of other students who were also out sick.

"We send our children to them daily and they're supposed to take of the children, too and their well-being and to know all these children had the flu virus and they just let it spread without any notification whatsoever, it is to a degree irresponsible on the district's part,"said McIntosh.

In response, the district notified the Texas Department of Health and is disinfecting classrooms, common areas and school buses.

An automated call went out to parents and the superintendent is also urging them to be proactive.

In a letter, Dr. Myers asks parents:

-To discuss proper hygiene with children

-Seek medical treatment if children have symptoms

-Keep children home if flu or fever are confirmed

The problem for McIntosh and her family, it came four days too late. Now her older son is also sick.

We worked on this story with our Houston Community Newspapers partners, The Cleveland Advocate.