The recent cases of influenza in the Pella area are impacting local schools. Brian Miller, Principal at Jefferson Intermediate School in Pella says around ten percent of his students have been absent per day since the end of last week.

Marion County Public health Director Kim Dorn says that no other school in the county has more than ten percent of its students out sick, and not all students absent from school have the flu.

Miller adds that so far, more students appear to be affected at Jefferson than both elementary schools and the Pella Middle School. Parents are being sent information on what to look for and what precautions to take with their children, but Miller says the school will remain open.