FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 31, 2012

Representative William Fourkiller
State Capitol Building Rm. 510B
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
Contact: Eric Russell
405-962-7819

Fourkiller Files Bill to Protect At-Risk Children in Schools

OKLAHOMA CITY(January 31, 2012) Children are at the greatest risk of having an allergic reaction to food while at school. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food allergies are a notable concern at school. Studies show that 16%–18% of children with food allergies have had allergic reactions to accidental ingestion of food allergens while in school.

Also according to the CDC, an estimated 4% to 6% of U.S.children of children under age 18 have food allergies.

Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is the choice treatment for anaphylactic (allergic) reactions to food.

Often, the school is unprepared to handle anaphylactic reactions. That is why Rep. William Fourkiller, D-Stilwell, has authored a bill to allow school districts to keep epinephrine auto injectors on site, in a secured and locked area.

“Most allergies are undiagnosed until the first anaphylactic reaction,” Rep. Fourkiller said, “and thus schools may be caught unprepared for that kind of emergency. My bill will solve that problem.”

According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, there is no cure for food allergies; avoidance of the allergen is the only way to prevent anaphylactic reactions.

Seven other states allow schools to carry epinephrine injectors: California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Utah, Illinois, and Georgia.

“We need follow the lead of other states and properly equip school nurses for these often unforeseeable emergencies,” Rep. Fourkiller said, “to do anything less would be to subject our children to an unacceptable level of risk.”

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