Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/valley-14039-session-heels.html
Warnings come on heels of fifth swine flu death
August 23, 2009 4:20 PM
FROM STAFF REPORTS
With several Victor Valley school districts back in session and the rest starting in coming weeks, State Superintendent of Schools Jack O?Connell is urging parents, students and school officials to remain vigilant and take measures to prevent possible swine flu outbreaks.
?The excitement about returning to school and seeing old friends could cause us to let our guard down about preventing the spread of the flu virus,? O?Connell said in a statement.
This past week, officials announced the fifth swine flu-related death in San Bernardino County. Nationwide, 477 people have died from swine flu-like illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. More than 7,500 people have beenhospitalized.
O?Connell offered local school districts a sample letter to send home to parents, which proposes the following recommendations:
? Students and staff with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
? Students and staff who appear to have flu-like illness should be sent to a room separate from others until they can be sent home.
? Students and staff should wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizers, and always cover noses and mouths with a tissue, shirt sleeve or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
? People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems or have neuromuscular diseases.
? School officials should work closely and directly with their local and state public health officials when deciding whether or not to selectively dismiss a school or schools with largepopulations of high-risk students.
? In the event of a school dismissal ordered by a public health officer, school administrators should have plans for continuing the education of students who are at home through phone calls, homework packets, Internet lessons and other distance learning approaches.
Here are some Web sites to help parents learn more about swine flu:
? Guides, planning checklists and resources on flu prevention in multiple languages ? www.CDE.ca.gov/159979.
? Download a free ?Keep Our Schools Healthy? tool kit on preventing spread of viruses ? www.CDE.ca.gov/148645.
? View the sample letter to for California parents ? www.CDE.ca.gov/159850.
? Information on swine flu by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ? www.CDC.gov/H1N1Flu.
Warnings come on heels of fifth swine flu death
August 23, 2009 4:20 PM
FROM STAFF REPORTS
With several Victor Valley school districts back in session and the rest starting in coming weeks, State Superintendent of Schools Jack O?Connell is urging parents, students and school officials to remain vigilant and take measures to prevent possible swine flu outbreaks.
?The excitement about returning to school and seeing old friends could cause us to let our guard down about preventing the spread of the flu virus,? O?Connell said in a statement.
This past week, officials announced the fifth swine flu-related death in San Bernardino County. Nationwide, 477 people have died from swine flu-like illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. More than 7,500 people have beenhospitalized.
O?Connell offered local school districts a sample letter to send home to parents, which proposes the following recommendations:
? Students and staff with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
? Students and staff who appear to have flu-like illness should be sent to a room separate from others until they can be sent home.
? Students and staff should wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizers, and always cover noses and mouths with a tissue, shirt sleeve or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
? People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems or have neuromuscular diseases.
? School officials should work closely and directly with their local and state public health officials when deciding whether or not to selectively dismiss a school or schools with largepopulations of high-risk students.
? In the event of a school dismissal ordered by a public health officer, school administrators should have plans for continuing the education of students who are at home through phone calls, homework packets, Internet lessons and other distance learning approaches.
Here are some Web sites to help parents learn more about swine flu:
? Guides, planning checklists and resources on flu prevention in multiple languages ? www.CDE.ca.gov/159979.
? Download a free ?Keep Our Schools Healthy? tool kit on preventing spread of viruses ? www.CDE.ca.gov/148645.
? View the sample letter to for California parents ? www.CDE.ca.gov/159850.
? Information on swine flu by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ? www.CDC.gov/H1N1Flu.