Middle School to be flushed out Saturday

DANIA BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Parents are concerned after someone at a South Florida middle school contracted a case of the potentially deadly Legionnaires' disease.

Broward County Public School has not provided any information regarding the Legionnaires' disease outbreak. The only information that has been provided is from the parents of students at Olsen Middle School, who have spoken to the administration at the Broward County School Board, Wednesday.

Many students have been forced to stay home by their parents after someone at the Dania Beach school contracted the disease.

The disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria in water. You can catch it by breathing in mist from water that contains that bacteria.

According to parents, the school will wait until Saturday to flush all of the cooling systems, change air conditioning filters, water filters and any other areas that could be infected.

However, parents and students are not happy about having to wait until Saturday to be informed. "I'm scared," said Destiny Randall. "I don't want to go to school. I'm not getting sick."

Destiny's father also has concerns. "I don't understand why they haven't closed the school yet," said Sean McCarthy. "They should have the school closed down today if it only takes 24 hours to get it rectified. Let's close it down, get it rectified."

Symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, and headaches. Officials said if your child goes to Olsen Middle School, you should look out for these symptoms, and if your child appears to have these symptoms, take them to a doctor immediately.

Antibiotics can treat Legionnaires' disease, but it can also be a life-threatening disease. However, officials said, the chances of it being fatal are slim to none.

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