Flu-like outbreak causes cancellation of classes

GREEN RIDGE, Mo. -- The Green Ridge School District canceled classes after an outbreak of flu-like symptoms sickened more than 100 students.

When the district's kindergarten through 12th-grade school of 375 students opened Thursday, many students were absent, and many others reported to the nurses office with fevers, body aches and coughing.

"They had red faces, they were hot, they had temperatures of about 102 degrees, and they have to go home and sweat it off," said Green Ridge High School principal Robert McLean.

The school sent students home at 1 p.m. Thursday and remained closed Friday. Classes will resume Monday.

The school plans to make up the lost days later in the school year.

The Pettis County Health Center has sent blood samples from the sick Green Ridge students to be tested for influenza.