FLINT, MI - Fleas at Richfield Public School Academy and concerns over viruses in area schools have closed the facility for Friday, Oct. 9, to perform a deep cleaning of all its buildings.
Superintendent Pamela Haldy said the problem with fleas at the North Center Road building arose more than a week ago, when staff members began complaining about bug bites.
"No one at their home has them, none of their pets have them," she said. Rooms where staff members had a complaint were treated with flea bombs on a day off for students about 10 days ago, she said.
After some relief, Haldy said earlier this week they began receiving reports by staff members of bites again. She suspects someone has fleas at home and may be bringing them back and forth into the building.
A message on the academy's Facebook page states it will also close Richfield Early Childhood Center on Friday "due to the viruses that are circulating surrounding Genesee County Schools."
Several Genesee County school districts, including Clio, Swartz Creek, Montrose, Davison and Beecher, have reported cases of meningitis over the last several weeks, leading Swartz Creek to close the entire district for a day to clean all areas.
In releasing the information and taking the precautions at school buildings, Haldy said "We try to be very honest without being alarming."
No cases of meningitis have been confirmed in the Richfield district, Haldy said, but many staff members and students at both buildings have had strep throat, bronchitis and other respiratory issues.
In speaking with the Genesee County Health Department regarding illnesses, Haldy said, "This year, I think, is earlier, the symptoms are earlier than they have been in the past. The (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention) is saying they have lots of cases of strep throat and bronchial things."
Haldy said along with the fumigation taking place Thursday night for fleas, workers are cleaning all surfaces "in terms of the same manner as if we're trying to eradicate a virus like (meningitis)" at all buildings, including the preschool.
All buildings are expected to reopen Monday, Oct. 12.