Superintendent assures parents: it's atypical pneumonia

October 31, 2008

Superintendent assures parents: " it's atypical pneumonia "

KTVO - Kirksville,mo*

By Dana Jay

Friday, October 31, 2008

GREEN CITY, MO. -- When KTVO reported that a pneumonia-like illness

was going around Green City Elementary school, parents and community

members contacted us wondering if there might be another reason kids

were getting sick.

We wondered if an aging facility and a wet summer could have led to

a mold problem at the school.

Kirksville allergy specialist Lary Ciesmeier, D.O., said the

question was logical, so we took that concern to Superintendent

Donnie .

admitted that the district had had issues with water

collecting in a boiler area, but he says they've been cleared up.

We asked if the district had tested for mold.

" We haven't done that because we haven't had anything come back from

a doctor saying that this illness could be due to mold, "

said.

One viewer who wished to remain anonymous told us in an email that

there were rumors that the illness could be related to bats in the

area. Another came to us with concerns about asbestos on the

premises.

" We've been told from numerous tests--there have been tests that we

never would have thought of.--and what has come back to us form the

[Center for Disease Control] and the health departments is that

these kids have atypical pneumonia, " said.

The superintendent readily admitted there was asbestos on the

premises, but he says it's carefully monitored by government.

" The asbestos is contained and by law we have a plan in my office.

We do an inspection of those areas every single year and every three

years we pay for an asbestos inspection team to come in and inspect

the building as per law requires, " he said.

says that according to the Centers for Disease Control the

pneumonia-like illness was a problem for schools across the state.

Since we originally reported the story, the number of illnesses has

dropped.

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