Influenza (h1n1) Info Update August 09

NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) INFORMATION UPDATE August 26, 2009 Novel Influenza A (H1N1) – commonly known as the swine flu – has not gone away. This new flu is still in Vermont and the rest of the country during the usually flu-free weeks of summer. We expect that the (H1N1) virus will be circulating, along with the regular seasonal flu viruses, during this fall and winter season. However, the timing, spread, and severity of influenza illness is still uncertain. We now know more about this flu since it was detected last April. We know that the new flu virus especially affected children in schools, camps, and other group settings and that closing schools to minimize exposure to the flu is not the best choice in most cases, as it may have undesired consequences, such as students being left at home alone. Our school nurses and district personnel continue to plan for the upcoming season and will monitor this situation carefully to assess the need for appropriate action. The Center for Disease Control is recommending that all children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday get a seasonal flu vaccine. They also recommend that all children from 6 months through 18 years of age receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine when it is available. Persons with feverish respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections (including influenza and other respiratory illnesses) to others in their communities. In addition, respiratory etiquette and frequent hand washing can lessen the spread of respiratory illness. For an outbreak similar to the spring 2009 H1N1 outbreak, CDC recommends stepping up basic good hygiene practices like hand washing, keeping sick students and staff away from school and helping families identify their children who are at high-risk for flu complications and would benefit from early evaluation from their physician if they develop the flu. Even if you are concerned that you may have been exposed to this virus through casual exposure, there is no need to seek medical attention unless you actually have flu-like symptoms. However, people who have underlying medical conditions should consult their physicians regarding flu concerns if they have been exposed to someone with the flu. The CDC provided us with the following guidelines in the event of school dismissals: •

School officials should balance the risks of flu in their community with the disruption dismissals will cause in both education and the wider community.

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Decisions should be made locally and can include dismissing when absenteeism is excessive, and proactively closing schools to decrease the spread of flu. While the consequences of dismissing students from schools outweigh the likely benefits in most circumstances, CDC may, at some point, recommend preemptive or early school dismissals based on changes in disease severity. Schools should remain open to teachers and staff so they can continue to provide education and other critical services (such as school lunches). Schools that dismiss students should do so for at least 5-7 calendar days and should reassess whether or not to resume classes. Based on the reason for dismissing school (in reaction to outbreaks vs. preemptively), the amount of time schools are dismissed may be longer. Parents should start thinking now about how they might handle a school dismissal, as these decisions may be made very quickly.

For more information visit www.flu.gov or www.healthvermont.gov. __________________ Principal’s name