The H1N1 outbreak has thrown a wrench into high school exam exemptions.

Students with good attendance records usually get to skip one exam if they miss no more than six classes, but in light of the swine flu issue, officials worry students who want the exemption will insist on going to school even if they don't feel well.

School board spokesman Doug Hadley says the exemption option has been cancelled for this school year to allow students to focus on their health.

Sixty-five schools in the Halifax school board are now reporting absentee rates above 10 per cent, although some of the first schools that had problems are now returning to normal.

Astral Drive High School, which had nearly 30 per cent of students off sick at one point, is now down to seven per cent.