OA to follow CDC guidelines on H1N1 (swine flu)
According to the New York State Department of Health and the Tioga County Health Department, the H1N1 Influenza (also known as swine flu) continues to be monitored and evaluated.
These offices will be in frequent contact with the Owego Apalachin school district health officials, as well as other districts throughout our region.
Throughout the summer, reports indicate that the H1N1 flu has been mild, but health officials are alert to any risks during flu season and are taking all precautions recommended by state and national experts.
The OA district values and is committed to the health and safety of its students, staff and the OA community, and with that in mind, the district plans to keep the community well informed if changes in this health issue arise as the new school year unfolds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 55 million students and 7 million staff attend the more than 130,000 public and private schools in the United States each day.
By implementing CDC recommendations, schools and health officials can help protect one-fifth of the country’s population from flu.
Collaboration is essential: CDC, the U.S. Department of Education, state and local public health and education agencies, local schools, students, and staff, plus families, businesses, and communities all have active roles to play.
The following are CDC-recommended school responses for the 2009-2010 school year.
(For more information, visit the CDC Web site.)
Under conditions with similar severity as in spring 2009:
Stay home when sick: Those 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. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs.
Separate ill students and staff: 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. CDC recommends that they wear a surgical mask, if possible, and that those who care for ill students and staff wear protective gear such as a mask.
Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette: The new recommendations emphasize the importance of the basic foundations of influenza prevention: stay home when sick, wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
Routine cleaning: School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use. Special cleaning with bleach and other non-detergent-based cleaners is not necessary.
Early treatment of high-risk students and staff: People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible.
Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths.
People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.
According to the New York State Department of Health and the Tioga County Health Department, the H1N1 Influenza (also known as swine flu) continues to be monitored and evaluated.
These offices will be in frequent contact with the Owego Apalachin school district health officials, as well as other districts throughout our region.
Throughout the summer, reports indicate that the H1N1 flu has been mild, but health officials are alert to any risks during flu season and are taking all precautions recommended by state and national experts.
The OA district values and is committed to the health and safety of its students, staff and the OA community, and with that in mind, the district plans to keep the community well informed if changes in this health issue arise as the new school year unfolds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 55 million students and 7 million staff attend the more than 130,000 public and private schools in the United States each day.
By implementing CDC recommendations, schools and health officials can help protect one-fifth of the country’s population from flu.
Collaboration is essential: CDC, the U.S. Department of Education, state and local public health and education agencies, local schools, students, and staff, plus families, businesses, and communities all have active roles to play.
The following are CDC-recommended school responses for the 2009-2010 school year.
(For more information, visit the CDC Web site.)
Under conditions with similar severity as in spring 2009:
Stay home when sick: Those 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. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs.
Separate ill students and staff: 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. CDC recommends that they wear a surgical mask, if possible, and that those who care for ill students and staff wear protective gear such as a mask.
Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette: The new recommendations emphasize the importance of the basic foundations of influenza prevention: stay home when sick, wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
Routine cleaning: School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use. Special cleaning with bleach and other non-detergent-based cleaners is not necessary.
Early treatment of high-risk students and staff: People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible.
Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths.
People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.