Update II: Health officials: mice problem overblown, school promises undeliverable

County health officials found three droppings and one dead mouse today raising the total number of found mice to four after more than 100 traps were put in place at Pima Butte Elementary School this weekend.

“That doesn’t sound like a lot of mice to me,” said Public Health Director Tom Schreyer.

Schreyer said there is no evidence of an “imminent or impending” health risk and that this rodent problem has been blown out of proportion.

One cause of alarm may have been an e-mail sent to parents by school officials containing promises outside the scope of the official’s authority.

The e-mail said, “an independent company will come out and test the air quality as well as the mice.” And “you can obtain a copy of the health inspectors report from Pinal County, and one will be posted in the front office”.

“There is no air test available for Hantavirus,” Schreyer said. He also said that testing mice for the virus is ineffective. “Neither state nor local officials believe testing will tell us something about the health risks we don’t know.”

These promises made by the school came prior to consultation with health officials, according to Schreyer. He said they were sincere attempts to ease parents’ concerns, but they were not made within the realm of their authority.

He also said that a public report was never scheduled for release, but that they will do what they can to keep the public updated on the situation.

Schreyer said that cold weather and food found throughout the school is what likely drew the mice into the school. He said that the food was removed and educators have been reminded of the health risk this type of behavior can cause.

Maricopa Unified School District Superintendent Dr. John Flores said that the school is re-enforcing policies about food in the classroom.

Pinal County Health Department and Maricopa Unified School District officials created the following plan of action outlining how they intend to control the population of mice in the school:

• Place traps in all areas of the school and document the location and date of placement of traps.
• Develop a log of locations that mice are found in traps so that actions can be taken to track the source of the mice.
• Develop a log that documents any report of mouse droppings so that proper sanitation and trapping measures can be taken.
• Eliminate food sources by limiting food to the cafeteria only.
• Eliminate materials that can be used for nesting.
• Require that staff immediately report any mouse droppings to administration.
• Participate in ongoing inspections from the Pinal County Division of Environmental Health.

Pinal County Health Officials said they will continue to monitor for threats of health risks at the school, and they will take whatever action necessary to protect the health and safety of students and staff.

Click the links below for related stories:

Update: Pima Butte Elementary rodent problem confronted

Health department: mice in school not grounds for closing