Seattle schools prepare for H1N1: Plan is to hold off on closures

[Pathfinder]

09/14/09 12:14 AM

Seattle schools prepare for H1N1: Plan is to hold off on closures

By Lucas Anderson, Neighborlogs.com

Health officials say it is only a matter of time before Seattle's elementary schools face outbreaks of illness from the H1N1 flu virus. Last year's outbreaks that closed multiple Seattle schools including Capitol Hill's Stevens Elementary are still on the minds of Public School officials as the new school year begins. This school year, according to Seattle Public School's David Tucker, prevention is the priority.

Over the Summer, King County Public Health, in coordination with the Center for Disease Control, finalized a plan continuing and strengthening current school programs that are already in place, such as weekly absentee rate reports, every-day monitoring, and extra attention for at risk students that are "medically fragile." Tucker said that families are the first line of defense. "If a child is sick, then the parents need to make sure the child stays home," said Tucker.

Cases of H1N1 have been reported in the area through summer but officials are bracing for an increase as school begins. King County Health spokesperson Hilary Karasz said symptoms for those already sickened by the virus appear to be mild and on the scale of the typical seasonal flu. The big difference with H1N1, though, is the level of immunity in the community. Because it's a new virus, fewer of us have developed immunities to it and so, Karasz explained, more of us are going to get it. "It's a strong reminder to wash our hands and stay home if we're feeling sick," Karasz said.

When school began last week, schools sent home notes to parents informing them of the risks and things to look out for. Part of a CDC provided "Toolkit" for H1N1, it also included fact sheets for parents, teachers, students, and a FAQ. Also, the county health department recommended that a sick note from a doctor for teachers or students with flu-like symptoms not be required for students or staff to be able to remain at home until they are healthy.

As for school closures this year, Tucker reiterated the CDC guidance of "keeping schools open to the greatest extent possible." He added that the process will be different than last year, with closures at the bottom of the check list.

Seattle's school plan includes two different strategies for approaching an outbreak depending on the severity compared to last spring.

For same severity as Spring 2009:

Stay home when sick
Separate ill students and staff until they can be sent home
Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
More frequent cleaning using regular products
Early treatment for high risk students and staff
Consider selective school dismissal
For increased severity compared to Spring 2009:

Active screening
High-risk students and staff stay home
Students with ill household members stay home
Increase distance between people at schools
Extend the period ill persons stay home
School dismissals


http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2...pare-for-h1n1-plan-is-to-hold-off-on-closures

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Seattle schools prepare for H1N1: Plan is to hold off on closures

Parents Finding Ways To Help Prevent The Spread Of Swine Flu In The Schools

Angela King Q13 FOX News
8:40 AM PDT, September 15, 2009

Now that the school year is in full swing, cases of Swine flu are expected to flourish, especially now that some doctors in Quebec, Singapore and Mexico say the virus lingers longer in the body than was previously thought.

It's not clear what recommendations the Centers for Disease Control will make in response to this new research, but health professionals are reminding people to stay home and keep the children out of class if they're sick.

School nurses like Yolanda Morris know they're going to have their hands full this year. In the Issaquah School district for example, there are only 15 RN's to tend to 16,000 students.

"We always have to be prepared. We're always dealing with germs, Swine flu or not. If we do see a lot of sickness, it would be great to have more help," says Morris.

And parents know this. That's why members of one Seattle P.T.A are looking for ways to help.

"We're looking for ways to break the contact string," says Grant Fjermedal - a scientist author and parent. "Right now we're telling our kids go in the bathroom, wash your hands, but as soon as they go to the door, they're pressing against a surface everyone else is."

So to reduce the risk of recontamination, Fjermedal and his fellow parents have volunteered to walk through the hallways every 30 minutes and wipe down door handles, hand rails, and other common surfaces. He also says rather than having every student enter their lunch account information on a shared key pad, have one parent do it for all the students. Fewer germy hands touching the same surface can help prevent the spread of viruses.

"We would also love to place wipes by the door so whoever opens the door, uses that wipe and holds to door for everybody else," say Fjermedal. He also suggests keeping the main bathroom door propped open since most have a privacy wall built in.

"I think it's important that we as parents work with the schools to cut down these contagious pathways," says Fjermedal.

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-091509-swineflupta,0,5447427.story?track=rss