What Schools Need to Know about H1N1 and Seasonal Flu

In recent months, the H1N1 virus has reached pandemic status around the world. Though media attention has decreased, schools need to ensure they are prepared for a possible influenza epidemic this fall. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), schools will likely be an important contributor to the spread of influenza in a community, as children tend to have higher illness rates for both seasonal and H1N1 influenza.

School districts should plan ahead, considering how they will balance health and safety issues with educational, social and business needs. Currently, the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) are both anticipating the H1N1 virus will persist this fall in conjunction with the seasonal flu. It is unknown when a vaccine for H1N1 will become available. Similar to the seasonal flu vaccine, at-risk populations would receive higher priority for inoculation.

Schools should continue to monitor the situation, staying informed of recommendations from the CDC and local public health departments regarding transmission and vaccinations.

Reducing the Spread of H1N1 and Seasonal Flu
Influenza spreads from person to person through the coughing and sneezing of infected persons. Simple actions can help reduce the chances of spreading or contracting flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaner is an effective substitute if there is no access to soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth—germs can be spread this way.
• The CDC recommends you stay home from work or school if you are sick and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

CDC Guidance for Schools
On Aug. 7, 2009, the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC released a communication toolkit for k-12 schools titled “Preparing for the Flu (Including 2009 H1N1 Flu).” It can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/toolkit/.

The guidance stresses that school officials should balance the risk of flu in their communities with the disruption that school dismissals will cause in education and the wider community. The new guidelines are applicable to any flu virus circulating during the 2009-2010 school year and cover specific steps for school staff, parents and students to take.

The following steps were advised for schools preparing for flu response during the 2009-2010 school year:

• Review and revise existing pandemic plans and focus on protecting high risk students and staff.
• Update student and staff contact information as well as emergency contact lists.
• Identify and establish a point of contact with the local public health agency.
• Develop a plan to cover key positions, such as the school nurse, when staff members stay home because they are sick.
• Set up a separate room (a sick room) for care of sick students or staff until they can be sent home.
• Purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks for nurses and other staff providing care for sick people at school. Provide training for staff about basic infection control and the use of PPE.
• Develop an education campaign to encourage hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
• Develop communication tools, such as letters to parents) that can be used to explain when sending sick students home, dismissing students, canceling mass gatherings, helping families identify students who are at high risk of complications from flu and helping staff members self-identify who is at high-risk of complications from flu. Remind parents and staff how long sick students and staff should remain at home.
• Identify ways to increase social distance (the space between people). Suggestions include increasing the space between desks, holding class outside and staggering lunch periods to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria at one time.
• Review school policies and incentive programs. Revise them, if needed, to encourage social distancing. Remove any incentives that might encourage students or staff to come to school when they are sick, such as perfect attendance awards.
• Develop a school dismissal plan and options for how school work can be continued at home through homework packets, web-based lessons, phone calls and other methods if school is dismissed or students are sent home when sick. Communicate this plan to all community members who would be affected.
• Collaborate with the local health department, community organizations, local businesses and social services on a plan for response.
• Help families and communities understand the important roles they play in reducing the spread of flu in schools.

Resources for Schools
These sites provide updated information and strategies for schools planning ahead for possible H1N1 or seasonal flu outbreaks:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm
http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html
http://www.flu.gov/planning-preparedness/school/index.html