The first school district in Eastern Kentucky cancels classes because of the flu.
Health officials are warning that the flu season is starting earlier than usual and this year's main strain can be very severe.
Hundreds of students in the Leslie County School District were sick Wednesday after coming down with various illnesses--including the flu.
“We have a lot of sick kids and we have quite a few sick staff members. It gets to be a pretty tough situation when you have sick bus drivers, sick janitors, cooks and teachers,” said the Leslie County Superintendent, Larry Sparks.
Sparks says attendance is usually around 94% but this week attendance dropped to 70% in the High School and 65% in the Middle School.
School officials have decided to cancel classes on Thursday and Friday because of widespread sickness.
The Superintendent said more than 400 kids called in sick on Wednesday.
He said the majority of them are complaining of stomach viruses, strep throat and the flu.
Local health experts say the recent warm weather can actually increase how quick sicknesses spread.
They say closing the school is the best way to prevent more students from getting sick
Larry Sparks hopes that by Monday the students, staff and the school will be sick-free.
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