Also for more information: www.cdc.gov and www.flu.gov

H1N1

The Director of Public Health in North Carolina Dr. Jeffrey Engel reports that early cases of the flu are rapidly being diagnosed across the state. In response, we need to be keeping a very close watch on our student absenteeism. Even though Dr. Engel characterizes H1N1 as "mild pandemic" we are taking every precaution to keep our students safe and healthy. A seasonal flu vaccine will be made available to all students in grades K-5 in early to mid-October. Parent permission is required and forms have already been sent home with students. We are also identifying all students who are medically fragile or have chronic illnesses and would be at higher risk if exposed to large numbers of flu cases in one particular school. Try to isolate any students that are sick or displaying flu-like symptoms until the parent picks them up from school. Tell employees to stay at home if sick and not to return to work until free from any fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Below are some Talking Points on H1N1 and how the school system is responding:

·   What is Novel H1N1?

Response: 2009 H1N1 (referred to as "swine flu" early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

·   Why is it called a pandemic?

Response: It is actually referred to now as a mild pandemic, meaning that most people have a very low immunity to the virus, it is highly contagious and it becomes very widespread and affects a whole region, a continent, or the world.

• How does 2009 H1N1 virus spread?

Response: Spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something - such as a surface or object - with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

• What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

Response: The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

• How severe is illness associated with 2009 H1N1 flu virus?

Response: Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.

• How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?

Response: People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

·   Have we notified parents and students?

Response: Yes, parents have received informational pieces, telephone calls through AlertNow and informational alerts on school webpages.

·   Are schools notified when a student or teacher has influenza A or H1N1?

Response: Not necessarily. The Public Health Director in North Carolina and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are not requiring cultured tests to confirm positive H1N1, but if someone has flu-like systems or she is diagnosed with influenza A in a doctor's office, then the medical community is identifying that as H1N1.

·   What should we do if a student is showing flu-like symptoms at school or is sick?

Response: We are trying to isolate sick students from other students as much as possible and school personnel contact parents immediately to pick up their sick child. It is extremely important that parents pick up their children as soon as possible.

·   Are we informing parents about sick children?

Response: Yes. We are telling parents to keep sick children at home until they are well and until they are without a fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

·   What about employees?

Response: We are also telling sick employees to stay at home until they have no fever without medication and to leave school if they become ill. Employees are also encouraged to get the seasonal influenza vaccination.

·   What practices are in place to prevent sickness?

Response: Schools are instructed to keep their areas as clean as possible, have children and employees wash their hands often, remind children to sneeze into a tissue or their sleeve and keep their hands off their face.

·   Will we close school?

Response: The directive from the Public Health Director in North Carolina encourages public schools to remain open and operational. A school closing will occur on a localized basis after consultation with the medical community and if there are increasing and high numbers of affected students and teachers that severely interfere with the operations of the normal school day.

• Is there a flu vaccine for H1N1?

Response: There is no vaccine available right now to protect against 2009 H1N1 virus.  However, a 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall.