Editorial:

The H1N1 virus — commonly known as swine flu — is wreaking havoc on our schools, some of which are seeing significant increases in absentees.

To date, 123 cases of swine flu have been reported throughout the district. More than 10% of the student population at Newport Harbor High School was absent Wednesday. Eastbluff, Mariners and Newport Coast elementary schools saw a 20% absentee rate this week. Several other elementary schools saw a 10% absentee rate.

Though we knock on wood that it doesn’t happen, it’s likely that more students will be infected by the virus in the coming weeks.

This is alarming and, to their credit, district officials are facing the problem head on, taking exhaustive preventive steps to protect the student population.

Their plan of attack?

Offering, through the district’s Health Services Department, the nasal mist vaccine.

Because students are in close contact, the virus easily spreads through classrooms.

We encourage all Newport-Mesa parents to get their children vaccination shots, through their personal physician or the school district.

Meanwhile, school nurses are tracking absences. Schools that reach a 10% absence rate or 20% or more absent students in one class contact the Orange County Health Care Agency and are reported at nmusd.ca.schoolloop.com/swineflu.

Letters are sent home in such situations, and students or staff who exhibit flu-like symptoms in school are sent home.

This too will pass. But until it does, we all should remain vigilant about our well being. Kudos to the district, which has sent a signal to students and parents alike to do just that.