Polk County schools are seeing a significant rise in student absences due to illness. Fourteen schools throughout Polk County have reported sick absence rates greater than 10% at least one day so far in January, a "significant increase" compared with last year, according to county health officials. Some schools have even seen greater than 10% absence rate for two or three consecutive days. Absent rates reaching or exceeding 10% indicate a significant spread of illness within the school, local health officials say. The culprit for the current rate of student absences are a variety of illnesses circulating amongst students. Reported sicknesses among students include influenza, pneumonia, norovirus and other infectious diseases. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #PolkCounty #Iowa #IAed