H1N1

Flu K-12 Schools and School Districts

Information for School and District Administration

PREVENTION AND SPREAD OF THE FLU:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
• Flu viruses can survive 2 hours or longer on surfaces
• Remind your students frequently to "cover" when they cough or sneeze
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s website (www.cdc.gov) has a Flu Prevention Podcast that schools can show to their students: "All you have to do is wash your hands."

SYMPTOMS:

H1N1 Flu symptoms usually develop 3-5 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms continue for approximately 7-8 days from first sign of illness.

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Immediate arrangements should be made to send anyone who becomes ill home at the first signs of the H1N1 or other Flu symptoms. Keep them isolated until they can be sent home. Anyone who becomes ill with H1N1 Flu is contagious for 24hrs before symptoms appear and remain contagious until the fever subsides, or approximately 7-8 days from the first development of the symptoms. Those who have been ill should remain at home an additional 24hrs after the fever subsides.

TO CLOSE, OR NOT TO CLOSE, SCHOOLS:

See "Flu school closing: Any benefit? What's the benefit of school closing when there's a flu outbreak?" A short report prepared by the Mayo Clinic Staff to help School and District Administrations determine when, and if, it is appropriate to dismiss schools during a H1N1 Flu outbreak. A printable copy, or multiple copies, of this article can be accessed at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/school-closing/AN02001

TOOLKIT:

The CDC has prepared a Toolkit - "Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K-12)" that provides basic information and communication resources to help School Administrators implement recommendations from the CDC's "Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza during the 2009-2010 School Year." www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/toolkit/.

The Toolkit includes links to:

• Q & A's
• Fact Sheets to Inform Schools and Teachers
• Fact Sheets to Inform Parents
• Information on Where to Find Posters for Schools about Flu Prevention
• Template Letters/Emails for Schools to Send to Parents

Additional information on H1N1 Flu and guidance for Schools Administrators can be found on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools or at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/schoolguidance.htm

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

• What is the best course of action for flu prevention for our school district? • Who are the right decision-makers and stakeholders?
• How does the school district keep parents and the community informed? • What information should/can be collected and shared?
• Does the school district have resources to implement the course of action? • What is the process if schools need to be dismissed?
• What is the best course of action after dismissed schools return to normal?

For complete in-depth information available to assist School Administrators cope with a severe outbreak of the H1N1 Flu in their schools, administrative staff should also review the technical report prepared by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

"Technical Report for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators on CDC Guidance for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza during the 2009-2010 School Year"

This CDC Report provides guidance to School Districts to help decrease the spread of H1N1 Flu during the 2009-2010 School Year. It recommends actions based on the most current flu information for their region of the country. It suggests strategies to be considered if the H1N1 flu is causing more severe symptoms than were previously recorded during the spring 2009 outbreak. The Report also provides a Checklist to help your School Administrators make informed decisions at the local level. www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/technicalreport.htm

In order for your School Administration to remain current on the progression of the H1N1 Flu in your state or region, go to the CDC newsletter titled "Flu View" at www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly for the latest updates. This report includes a U.S. map updated regularly with information on reported cases with H1N1 Flu activity listed by individual state.

SCHOOL DISMISSAL MONITORING SYSTEM:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U. S. Department of Education have established a School Dismissal Monitoring System to report H1N1 Flu-related school or school district dismissals in the United States. The CDC have requested all school dismissals related to the H1N1 Flu be reported by using a special Dismissal Form available online. The form can be completed quickly online, or downloaded and submitted by email or fax to the CDC School Dismissal Monitoring System. Report K-12 School Dismissals