This winter, South Dakota schools have faced a big challenge with illnesses. Flu cases are higher than usual. Many schools have had to deal with sick students and teachers. The situation has been tough for everyone.
Menno schools shut down for a day
In late January, Menno schools had to close for a day. Superintendent Kory Foss decided this after several students and teachers got sick. He thought giving everyone a long weekend would help them recover.
“We cleared out the buildings to give everyone time to get better,” Foss said. Menno schools have around 260 students and 45 employees. It is located in Hutchinson County, about 30 miles north of Yankton.
High number of flu cases in South Dakota
Data from the state shows that the flu season in 2024-25 is tough. So far, South Dakota has reported 19,600 flu cases. There have been 1,079 hospitalizations and 28 deaths from the flu. This is a record year for flu cases and hospitalizations.
State epidemiologist Joshua Clayton said the state is dealing with a mix of illnesses. Besides the flu, there have been cases of COVID-19, RSV, and whooping cough.
“There’s a lot of respiratory disease happening in South Dakota right now,” Clayton said.
Why schools are a hotspot for flu
Schools are often a place where illnesses spread quickly. Hundreds of people gather in one building for long hours. This makes it easier for germs to spread, especially during cold weather. The cold air in January and February also helped viruses stay in the air longer, which made them spread even more.
The measles virus has affected nine states this year, with one child dying in Texas. But South Dakota has not had any cases of measles in 2025.
Clayton said, “COVID cases peaked in January. But we’re still seeing a lot of flu cases.”
Falling flu vaccination rates
One issue South Dakota faces is lower vaccination rates. Fewer people are getting the flu vaccine. In 2021-22, the state gave out 283,000 flu shots. This year, that number has dropped to 233,000.
Vaccination rates are highest among older people but lower among children under 5 years old.
Clayton recommends several ways to stay healthy. He suggests getting vaccinated, staying home if you feel sick, and washing your hands often. He also says people should cough or sneeze into their elbows to prevent the spread of germs.
“The good news is that the same actions can help stop many different illnesses,” Clayton said.
Lower Brule schools cancel basketball game
The Lower Brule schools in central South Dakota also faced a lot of sickness. The flu made many students too sick to play in a basketball game. Superintendent Lance Witte said, “We had too many kids out sick, so we had to cancel the game.”
The flu was the main cause of illness in Lower Brule schools. But Witte said the cases were mild, with kids mostly having cold symptoms.
“We did extra cleaning to keep things under control,” Witte said. Things have improved since February.
Chamberlain Schools see fewer sick days
Chamberlain schools had an uptick in student absences in January. But the sickness rate has gone down since then. Superintendent Justin Zajic said the school dealt with a few cases of the flu and colds, but there were no COVID-19 or whooping cough cases.
“It caught our attention,” Zajic said. “But we can stay ahead of it.”
The school district did extra cleaning and adjusted the heating system to bring in fresh air.
Zajic said when students are sick, the school makes sure they don’t fall behind. Nearly every middle or high school student has a laptop to study at home. Elementary students meet with a specialist to catch up on missed work.
“We don’t want any child to fall behind,” Zajic said.
