School H1N1 Influenza Response Guidelines Issued

   
Press Release                               Date: May 4, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          

Media Contact:    Joe Bates
Phone:        (360) 676-6717, Ext. 52510
E-mail address:    JBates@co.whatcom.wa.us
       
       

BELLINGHAM, WA— Whatcom County Health Department issued revised school H1N1 response guidelines today in the event of confirmed or suspected cases of the H1N1 (Swine) Influenza A in Whatcom schools. As of Monday, there were no school-related cases.

Based on information shared between the Washington State Department of Health and the other local health departments in our state, we have modified our approach for responding to the novel H1N1 flu in Whatcom County.  Rather than closing individual schools based on the probable diagnosis of cases of influenza A H1N1 in students or staff, we have instead implemented a county-wide policy that focuses on keeping all students with symptoms of influenza out of school during their period of illness and recuperation, when they are potentially infectious to others. 

All school response decisions will be made through active collaboration between school officials and public health. The main aim of the new guidance is to prevent the spread of H1N1 while minimizing the disruption of student learning.

The following are key points of the revised guidance as to how schools should respond to prevent the spread of H1N1:

•     The Health Department recommends keeping all students/staff with symptoms of influenza out of school during the entire period of illness and recuperation.
•     Special circumstances in an individual school (such as a large spike in absenteeism from a flu-like illness) may result in closure.
•     School closure is not automatically recommended if there are only a few suspected or confirmed H1N1 cases.

These guidelines are based on the following information from health care providers, emergency departments, hospitals, and the Centers for Disease Control:

•     There is evidence that the new H1N1 strain will continue to spread in communities, at least for a time.
•     Available information suggests that so far the severity of H1N1 is similar to the typical seasonal influenza.
•     It is important to remember that even “routine” seasonal influenza can be a severe disease. Therefore, preventing the spread of the disease is crucial.

Recommendations for Management of H1N1 Influenza in Schools and Day Care

•    Each morning, all parents/caregivers should assess all family members and especially all school-age children for symptoms of influenza (fever and cough or sore       throat cough) or other symptoms that might be influenza.
•    Each morning all school faculty should assess themselves for symptoms of influenza. 
•    Students or faculty with influenza-like illness (fever and cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school.  All sick students and faculty should stay out of school for at least 7 days even if their symptoms resolve sooner.  Students and faculty who are still sick at 7 days should continue to stay home from school until at least 24 hours after they have completely recovered.
•    If a child or adult is ill with other symptoms, they should stay home at least one day to observe how the illness develops and until completely well for 24 hours. A few cases of H1N1 influenza begin as a gastrointestinal illness (with diarrhea and/or vomiting).
•    Schools should screen students and staff for visible signs of possible influenza illness upon arrival at school. Public health will provide screening checklists and other tools to assist schools in implementing these measures.
•    Students and staff who appear ill at arrival or become ill at school should be promptly isolated and sent home.
•    Persons who are ill should stay home and not go into the community unless they need medical care.  Ill students should not attend alternative child care. 
•    As always, situations can be individualized and school authorities may close school at their discretion.  Parents may use their judgment regarding the risk and benefits of sending their children to school during this influenza outbreak as they would during a seasonal influenza outbreak.
•    As is the practice with seasonal influenza, schools may be closed if larger numbers of students or faculty become ill and school functioning becomes disrupted.

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