Swine flu takes toll on Alberta schools

Just days before the rollout of the swine flu vaccine in Alberta, there's word that flu-like illnesses have hit some schools hard in the Edmonton area.

Officials say 15 area schools have an absentee rate above 10 per cent, while 30 per cent of the students at St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School in St. Albert, just north of Edmonton, called in sick Friday.

David Keohane, the superintendent of the Greater St. Albert Catholic School Division, said letters have been sent home with students in the school reminding them to take precautions, like washing their hands frequently.

The letter also has a warning for parents who may be in families with a higher risk.

"If their children have immune suppression disorders, if they have blood disorders, if staff have pregnancy, then they have to pay special attention to any of the indicators of influenza if they materialize and see a health-care provider immediately."

Keohane said the school division is monitoring absenteeism closely to determine whether it's necessary to send letters home with students in other schools.

Meanwhile, Alberta Health Services has reported a ninth person, a Calgary man, has died from the H1N1 virus.

Albertans will be able to get the free H1N1 vaccine on Monday.