Dear Parents,

Scientists and public health professionals are concerned that the H1N1 flu virus may continue for some time. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information to help your family to prepare for a flu pandemic.

If pandemic flu spreads to Bernalillo County, officials may need to close schools for an extended period of time (for example, up to 6 weeks). The purpose of closing schools will be to decrease contact among children in order to decrease their risk of getting sick and to limit the spread of infection.  If schools are closed, children should stay at home. During this time, they should stay away from other people and groups, as much as possible. They should not gather in other locations such as homes, shopping malls, movie theaters or community centers.

Prevent

                To limit the spread of germs and prevent colds and flu now and during a flu pandemic:

Ø    Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

Ø    Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

Ø    Teach your children to stay away from people who are sick.   People who are sick should stay home from work or school and avoid other people until they are better.

If someone in your family develops flu symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches):

ü      Encourage plenty of fluids to drink. 

ü      Keep the ill person as comfortable as possible. Rest is important.

ü      For fever, sore throat and muscle aches, use ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

ü      Do not use aspirin in children or teenagers; it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life- threatening illness.

ü      Sponging with tepid (wrist-temperature) water lowers fever only during the period of sponging. Do not sponge with alcohol.

ü      Keep tissues and a trash bag for their disposal within reach of the patient. 

ü      All members of the household should wash their hands frequently.

ü      Keep other family members and visitors away from the person who is ill.

ü      Contact a healthcare provider for further advice. If the ill person is having difficulty breathing or is getting worse, contact the healthcare provider right away.

If you have further questions, please contact your healthcare provider or the NM Department of Public Health.

Official U.S. Government website with information on planning for individuals and families @ http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab3.html

Interim Recommendations: K-12 Schools

·         School dismissal is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s ability to function.

·         Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should keep away from others as much as possible, stay home, and not attend school or go into the community (except to seek medical care or for other necessities) for at least 24 hours after fever is gone. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

·         Students, faculty and staff who appear to have an influenza-like illness at arrival or become ill during the day should be isolated promptly in a room separate from other students and sent home.

·         Aspirin or aspirin-containing products should not be administered to any confirmed or suspected ill case of novel H1N1 influenza virus infection aged 18 years old and younger due to the risk of Reye syndrome. Refer to pediatric medical management for guidance regarding use of any medications, especially those containing aspirin.  (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinicians/)

·         Parents and guardians should monitor their school-aged children, and faculty and staff should self-monitor every morning for symptoms of influenza-like illness.

·         Ill students should not attend alternative child care or congregate in other neighborhood and community settings outside of school.

·         School administrator’s should communicate regularly with local public health officials to obtain guidance about reporting of influenza-like illnesses in the school

·         Schools can help serve as a focus for educational activities aimed at promoting ways to reduce the spread of influenza, including hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

Students, faculty and staff should stringently follow sanitary measures to reduce the spread of influenza, including covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or coughing or sneezing into their sleeve if a tissue isn’t available), frequently washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer* if hand washing with soap and water is not possible.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/K12_dismissal.htm