Parent Message: Swine Flu Update #6

Monday, June 8, 2009

Dear Parents and Staff:

We received notification today of a second confirmed case of the influenza A (H1N1) virus involving a student within the Bloomington Public School system. The student attends Kennedy High School. In order to protect the patient's privacy, the identity of the student cannot be disclosed.

We have been in consultation with Bloomington Public Health and the MN Department of Health (MDH) on this latest confirmation. We are not planning any cancellation of classes for the final two days of the school year (Monday-Tuesday, June 8-9), or graduation ceremonies for both high schools.

This decision is based on continuing recommendations from our consultation with the various health agencies.

We will continue to provide you updates as they become available. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Paulette Wollenhaupt, Director of Health Services
Rick J. Kaufman, Emergency Management Coordinator

Parent Message: Swine Flu Update #5

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Dear Parents:

We received confirmation today from the MN Department of Health that a student at Bloomington Jefferson High School has been diagnosed with the influenza A (H1N1) virus. This student is recovering at home. In order to protect the patient's privacy, the identity of the student cannot be disclosed.

While we saw an increase in the number of high school students reporting flu-like symptoms last week, this is the only confirmed H1N1 virus case to date. We also want to report that we have seen a marked increase in the number of influenza-like illnesses and doctor-confirmed cases of influenza A among our middle and
elementary students this week.

Children who have fever, together with cough and/or sore throat, are considered to have an influenza-like illness (ILI) unless an alternative diagnosis (for example, strep throat) is made by a physician. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that children with an ILI stay home for seven (7) days or 24 hours AFTER the resolution of acute symptoms, whichever is longer. Bloomington Public Schools has accepted this recommendation as protocol and will not allow students to return to school without a doctor's notification that the child does not have influenza-like illness, or 7 days after the onset of ILI symptoms.

Although the novel H1N1 virus appears to be acting like seasonal influenza in terms of severity and spread, it is important to remember that it is a new virus and there are people who are at high-risk for influenza-related complications and are not protected by vaccination.

We will continue to provide you updates as they become available. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Paulette Wollenhaupt, Director of Health Services
Rick J. Kaufman, Emergency Management Coordinator

Parent Message: Swine Flu Update #4

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Dear Parents:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has narrowed the definition of an illness for which children with influenza-like symptoms should be excluded from school. The new definition is fever together with cough and/or sore throat. The MN Department of Health (MDH) defines fever for this exclusion to be greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is suggested that students or staff who are developing symptoms of a respiratory illness including a runny nose, stay home for at least one (1) day to observe for other symptoms.

Children or staff who have fever, together with cough and/or sore throat, are considered to have an influenza-like illness (ILI) unless an alternative diagnosis (for example, “strep throat”) is made. CDC continues to recommend that children or staff with an ILI stay home for seven (7) days or 24 hours AFTER the resolution of acute symptoms, whichever is longer.
 
Although the novel H1N1 virus appears to be acting like seasonal influenza in terms of severity and spread, it is important to remember that it is a new virus and there are people who are at high-risk for influenza-related complications and are not protected by vaccination.
 
We will continue to provide you updates as they become available. We also encourage you to continue to check for additional or updated information at the MDH website: www.health.state.mn.us or the CDC website: www.cdc.gov

Thank you.

Les Fujitake
Superintendent of Schools

Parent Message: Swine Flu Update #3

Monday, May 5, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardian:

We have received revised guidance for schools regarding the prevention of the spread of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus from both the Centers for Disease Control and Preparedness (CDC) and MN Department of Public Health (MDH). Initial U.S. cases of H1N1 novel influenza have not been severe and are comparable in severity to seasonal influenza.

Further, the agencies are recommending an approach that will focus on keeping all students and staff with symptoms of influenza out of school in order to decrease transmission of infections to others. This will provide an approach for all schools to strengthen their measures to control the spread of infections whether or not a case is identified as H1N1 novel influenza.

Therefore, we have established the following revised response protocols:

• Bloomington Public Schools will not close schools for a suspected or confirmed case of the virus. (This will remain in effect, unless we experience a magnitude of staff or student absenteeism that interferes with the school's ability to function).

• BPS will continue its surveillance and monitoring for students who appear to have an influenza-like illness. If a student becomes ill during the school day, they will be promptly isolated in a room separate from other students and parents/guardian will be notified to pick-up their child to be taken home.

• Students and/or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should remain at home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days even if symptoms resolve sooner. (Please note this is a change, and will likely lead to greater absenteeism or an extended period of time for some students).

• Students and/or staff who are still sick 7 days after they become ill should continue to stay home from school until at least 24 hours after symptoms are resolved.

• Students 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.

• BPS will continue to report absences utilizing the Flu Surveillance Sheet with the assistance of each school's health nurse.

Thank you for your continued support.

Les Fujitake
Superintendent of Schools

Parent Message: H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Update #2

Monday, April 29, 2009

Dear Parents:

We continue to monitor the situation with the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, and are working closely with Bloomington Public Health in our surveillance and response efforts.

At this time, the state and local health departments have advised us that students can continue to attend school, as long as they are not sick and do not have flu-like symptoms. If your child is experiencing any flu-like symptoms, it is important that he or she remain home until the child has gotten better and has been well (symptom free) for 24 hours.

It is also important to teach your children how to reduce the risk of getting the flu and how to protect others from infection, including:

1. Keep your child home if they are sick, and contact your health physician if your child exhibits flu-like symptoms.

2. The best defense is frequent hand washing (with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer), especially after sneezing or coughing.

3. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands. Germs spread this way.

4. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue (if a tissue is not available, the crook of the arm).

While the current situation does not warrant school closure, if a confirmed case of the H1N1 novel virus is reported in a school, we will close that school for up to a week. We will communicate with you immediately in the event of a school closure.

If schools are closed, students should be kept at home. Avoid visiting public gatherings or making arrangements for your child(ren) to visit a friend’s home, group childcare, or another setting that will put them in close contact with other children. We understand that this may be a challenge for your family, and recommend you plan ahead in case of a school closing.

Please stay informed. This situation is rapidly evolving and we expect more information will be forthcoming. For the latest information, check the following web sites: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ or http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/swine/index.html

We have also posted links with important information and Frequently Asked Questions on our web site at www.bloomingtonschools.info

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children and schools healthy.

Les Fujitake
Superintendent
Bloomington Public Schools

Parent Message: H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Update #1

Monday, April 27, 2009

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported at least 40 human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the United States. The MN Department of Health (MDH) has increased surveillance including testing of patients who are being evaluated for influenza-like illness. So far, no confirmed or suspected cases have been detected in the state.

MDH is not recommending any school closures at this time. We want you to be aware of several steps we are taking at the advisement of MDH and the U.S. Department of Education.

Administrators and staff will be observing students for any flu-like or upper respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, chills and body aches), and will direct anyone exhibiting these symptoms to the school nurse.

We also recommend you emphasize basic infection prevention measures with your child, including:

1. Keep your child home if they are sick, and contact your health physician if your child exhibits flu-like symptoms.

2. The best defense is frequent hand washing (with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer).

3. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands. Germs spread this way.

4. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt-sleeve.

5. Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink fluids and eat nutritious food.

The situation with swine flu is rapidly evolving and we expect more information will be forthcoming. For the latest information, check the following web sites: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ or http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/swine/index.html