A De Queen-Mena Education Cooperative preschool student has apparently died from complications of the H1N1 flu virus, according to a report.
As a result, Ashdown School District, which leases space to the cooperative's early childhood development, has increased its daily sanitizing efforts and notified parents of the death, Superintendent Casey Nichols said.
According to a Facebook post, the child was identified by family members as Bryson Roberts.
The post mentioned Bryson tested negative for the flu at the doctors office but was later taken to the emergency room that evening with a high fever, where it was determined it was the H1N1 flu.
Nichols said as of Thursday afternoon, nothing had been documented or confirmed by health officials regarding the child's death.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health website, there have been five influeza-related deaths so far this flu season as of Dec. 15. Because of privacy laws, their gender, age and location aren't released.
School officials opted to contact parents whose children attend Ashdown Elementary School to be transparent and proactive.
The information the district distributed midday Thursday states:
"This call is to notify parents with students who attend the Ashdown Elementary School, that we have been informed that a student who attends the Pre-K program has reportedly passed away due to complications from the H1N1 flu virus. This information has not been confirmed by the Center for Disease Control or the Health Department. However, the Ashdown School District has taken precautions to sanitize the buildings associated with the Pre-K student's use of the building. Every effort has been made to ensure the safety our students. Again, this information has not been confirmed by the Center for Disease Control or the Health Department. If we receive any additional information we will notify you. Thank you."
Nichols said the child was not an Ashdown student but rather a De Queen-Mena Education Cooperative preschool student attending Ashdown's C.D. Franks campus.
In Arkansas, preschool services are not funded by the state and the cooperative takes that on, Nichols said. The Ashdown School District leases a large portion of its C.D. Franks campus to the cooperative and that's where the child attended preschool, Nichols said.
"From our understanding, a child in that program became ill several days ago and since passed away. We have no idea as to why or the circumstances beyond that," Nichols said.
He said the safety and well-being of the students are paramount to district officials. While the schools are sanitized every day during the cold and flu season, Nichols said additional efforts have been concentrated on high-traffic areas such as doorknobs.
Nichols said they also wanted to make parents aware that district officials may not know all the facts other than what has been reported, and
it was his understanding the child's parents notified the cooperative of the child's death and then De Queen Mena Cooperative officials contacted the Ashdown School District.
"Our hearts go out to this family and the child and children. We want to make sure we protect every single child we have," Nichols said.
John Ponder, director for De Queen-Mena Education Cooperative, said he had not been officially notified of the child's death.
"It is a terrible tragedy and we just pray for the family," he said.
Ponder said he did not personally speak with the child's family.