Putnam County Schools Advise Students on Hepatitis A

Putnam County Schools are advising students and parents to stay up to date on vaccinations.

The advisement comes after an Avery Trace Middle School staff member was diagnosed with Hepatitis A.

Coordinated School Health Supervisor Melanie Bussell said most students have both Hep A vaccinations.

“But there could be some students in the eighth grade with the birth year 2005 and under, it was not a school requirement to have the Hep A vaccination,” Bussell said. “So for those students, you might want to contact your pediatrician and pull out your immunization card to make sure they have had that Hep A.”

Since the vaccination is waived for students born before 2005, parents may decide whether to give their children the immunization.

Bussell said Putnam County declared minimal cause for concern in regards to the employee.

“The employee did not exhibit any symptoms of Hep A while on duty at ATMS,” Bussell said. “The employee is currently under medical supervision and will not be returning to ATMS until cleared by medical professionals.”

Bussell said the schools have a specific protocol when dealing with infectious diseases.

“The protocol is to immediately start working with our Putnam County Health Department. Lisa Bumbalough, the director there,” Bussell said. “We go straight to her and her medical staff. They start reviewing records. They then lean upon the state department of health for guidance.”

Tennessee has declared over 1,000 known cases of Hepatitis A. Bussell said the Upper Cumberland knows of approximately 80 confirmed cases.

For more information on Hepatitis A, visit the CDC website.