Posted at: 09/11/2009 7:32 PM
Updated at: 09/11/2009 10:47 PM
By: Donny Rowles

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Three Confirmed Cases of H1N1 in KM Schools

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- At least three cases of the H1N1 flu virus are confirmed in a local school district.

Within the last couple of hours, teachers in Kasson-Mantorville received an email from the school superintendent.

In it, the district leader says that at least one case per building has been reported, including the high school, middle school and elementary. 

However, the email does not specify how serious the illnesses are.

Your kids haven't even been back in class for a week yet and already confirmed cases of the H1N1 swine flu are reported in southeast Minnesota.

Today, we learned there are three students with H1N1 in the Kasson Mantorville School District.

Football players get to know each other pretty quickly, without words.

But tonight, in the name of safety these players were told they couldn't shake hands at the end of the game.

"You play football the whole game and you're pounding each other and then at the end you don't shake hands," said Coach Kroulik.

Kasson Mantorville football coach Ivan Kroulik says players are more likely to spread H1N1 during the game than by a handshake at the end.

"If you're wrapped up with a guy, bringing him to the ground - that's probably a lot more risky than shaking his hands, but I suppose they're trying to do whatever they can to stop it," said Paradise.

Teachers say they're taking all the precautions and keeping things clean. 

“We needed to be ready."

She says they've got a plan in place if the virus becomes widespread.

"I hope everyone's ok, I hope it doesn't get to a serious level," said Sherri.

And while the staff knows it's a serious subject, they still want kids to be able to enjoy school and sports.

Kasson senior Chris Paradise says it's the first time he's skipped the post game handshake, but it's ok.

"You know you want to go out there and congratulate the other guys, you know for working hard, but," said Paradise.

But they can chat during the game.