Orange County Schools prepares for Zika virus

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Orange County School District is taking steps to prepare for the Zika virus.

The district said it plans to keep a close eye on students as they return to the classroom.

Orange County schools have more than 200,000 students.

Odds are many of them traveled during summer break to countries where the virus is active.

With the school year about to begin, parents we spoke with are keeping an eye on the Zika virus.

“I'm concerned, but not that much yet, because it seems to be solely in South Florida,” said parent Ron Prentice-Bryant.

Orange County told Channel 9’s Michael Lopardi, it's been monitoring the virus with the health department.

“They provide information to us that's relevant that we need to share out to our schools in preparation for any type of outbreak that may be occurring,” Vickie Cartwright, with Orange County Schools, said.

A new poll out by Suffolk University Thursday showed 42 percent of people surveyed in Florida are "very concerned" about the Zika virus spreading. With many students traveling during the summer break, the district said there's a chance someone may develop symptoms. In the classroom, teachers will be on the lookout.

“They're the ones who are going to notice if a student is not feeling well or if there might be something wrong,” Cartwright said.

The state health department is sponsoring the "spill the water" campaign, teaching children how to get rid of mosquitoes and prevent the bites.

The district said with any type of outbreak, it would develop a plan of action and determine how to notify parents.

Contact Michael Lopardi for more on this story.

Cox Media Group