Swine Flu Update - May 6 '09
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
The following is an update on H1N1 flu (swine flu) virus from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
New information on the severity of the disease and the extent of
community spread warrant revision of the school closure guidance. As of May
4, 2009 indications are that individual school closure is less effective as a
measure of controlling the spread of the disease. Most U.S. cases have not
been severe and are comparable in severity to seasonal influenza. At this
time, the CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of H1N1 flu in
schools is to focus on early identification of ill students and staff, staying
home when ill, and good cough and hygiene etiquette.
Recommendations
- School closure is not advised for a suspected or
confirmed case of H1N1, and in general is not advised unless there is a
magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s
ability to function.
- Schools that were closed based on previous interim
CDC guidance related to this outbreak may reopen.
- Student, faculty or staff with influenza-like
illness should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except
to seek medical care for at least 7 days even if symptoms resolve sooner.
- Students, faculty and staff who are still sick 7
days after they become ill should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours
after all symptoms have resolved.
- School administrators should communicate regularly
with local public health officials to obtain guidance about reporting of
influenza-like illnesses in the school.
- Students, faculty and staff should stringently
follow sanitary measure to reduce the spread of influenza, including covering
their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or coughing or
sneezing into their sleeve if a tissue isn’t available), frequently washing
hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer if hand washing with soap
and water is not possible.
For further information, please visit the CDC website www.cdc.gov.
Shoshana Yehudah
Director of Emergency Preparedness
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