Jayhawk district suspends school after bed bugs found

MOUND CITY – Jayhawk USD 346 announced on Wednesday, Dec. 14, that Jayhawk Elementary School and Jayhawk-Linn Junior/Senior High School would be shut down on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 15-16, following the discovery of bed bugs at the elementary school.

"Yesterday we discovered bed bugs in our elementary school," said Superintendent Shawn Thomas in a post. "Working with our health authorities, we did a professional pest treatment in the affected classrooms last night, and will continue that treatment over the next couple of days.

"As a result, there will be no school or activities on Thursday December 15 or Friday December 16. Classes will resume on Monday December 19."

In his statement, Thomas noted that bed bugs are not dangerous, but they can be a stubborn pest to deal with, whether at school, home or anywhere else.

"The public health professionals at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommend these steps for families:

• Know what bed bugs look like

• Watch for insects in your home, especially in bed linens and clothing

• Pay attention to any itchy welts or spots with inflammation that appear on family members’ skin

• If you see a bed bug in your home or car — or if you notice welts consistent with bed bug bites — promptly contact a professional pest control company for services.

Here is the link to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) fact sheet on bed bugs.

" If you do find bed bugs at home, we greatly appreciate your help controlling them to help prevent the spread at school and in our community," Thomas said. "If you’d like help or have questions, please contact the Linn County Health Department."