Swine Flu

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/swineflu/pork-producer-fact-sheet.pdf

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person. This season, we will not only be concerned about seasonal human influenza, but also H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. Joseph Badger is committed to actively decreasing the potential risks in our school and provide a safe and clean environment. We are working closely with the Ohio Department of Health and the Trumbull County Health Department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning schools. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.

It is helpful to have an understanding of what this illness is - and what this illness is not. Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs that can cause outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections sometimes do occur. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular flu (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, body chills) and like other types of flu, it is spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. There is no evidence that swine flu virus is transmitted through food and you cannot get swine flu from eating cooked pork or pork products.

According to the CDC, antiviral medications are being given to treat and in certain cases, prevent swine flu infection. As with most types of flu viruses, the elderly, young children, those with compromised immune systems and especially pregnant women are more at risk. It is advisable to contact your primary care physician to discuss your needs this flu season. Prevention is our best intervention when combating the spread of any illness, whether it is the common cold or something more serious. On the back of this letter are listed the precautionary measures Joseph Badger is taking and tips for you and your family to help minimize your risks this flu season.

Our working custodial staff will be taking precautionary measures daily to disinfect common communal areas such as locker rooms, lunch tables, desk surfaces, lockers and doors. Staff members have been informed of current recommendations from the CDC of steps to take to help prevent the spread of flu as well.

From this point forward Joseph Badger is doing everything it can to keep our school functioning as usual. Here are a few things you can do to help:

	teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.
	teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food, or unwashed utensils, cover cough and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
	know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 or higher), cough, sore throat, a runny/stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some experience vomiting and diarrhea.
	KEEP SICK CHILDREN AT HOME for at least 24 hours *after* they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever reducing medication. KEEPING CHILDREN WITH A FEVER AT HOME WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO MAY GET INFECTED.
	do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.

If the flu becomes more severe, the district may take additional steps to prevent the spread such as:

	*conducting fever and flu symptom screening of students and staff as they arrive at school*
	*making changes to increase the space between people such as moving desks farther apart, postponing class trips, and*
	*dismissing students/staff from school for at least 5-7 days if they become sick*

For more information visit www.flu.govor call 1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information about the flu. For additional information about flu in our community and what our school is doing, visit our districts website or contact the local health department. We will notify you of any additional changes to our school’s strategy to prevent the spread of the flu.

Sincerely,

Joseph Badger Nurse

Holly Blackburn, RN

Copyright © 2007 Joseph Badger School District