Tests show schoolchildren are carriers of the flu virus

Quest Diagnostics, a U.S. corporation which provides clinical laboratory services, has confirmed that the swine-flu infection spreads from schoolchildren to the rest of the population.

“Based on tests performed since Quest Diagnostics began offering H1N1 testing in May 2009, children between the ages of five to 14 have experienced higher overall rates of H1N1 positivity than any other age group,” according to a Quest Diagnostics report.

Dr. Jay Lieberman, medical director for Quest Diagnostics and a pediatrician at the University of California, says the sharp rise in cases in children came at the end of August and the start of September, which is when school starts.

Lieberman said the findings show it is important to vaccinate children against influenza to retard the breakout in the community.

The findings also show that the strength of the H1N1 virus has been mild to moderate so far.  Had it been more pathogenic, Lieberman said, health officials would have possibly closed schools to help slow its spread until more vaccines would be available.

[via reuters.com]