Influenza: Including H1N1 Mission CISD

What is Influenza? An Airborne virus that is transmitted through respiratory secretions and briefly on objects

Types of Influenza Many types Seasonal Flu- Can be different each year H5N1- Avian Flu Novel H1N1- Swine Flu

Why is Flu Significant? Not just another virus! There are about 36,000 deaths in the US each year from Seasonal Flu More than 200,000 hospitalizations nationwide each year Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What about The Swine Flu? The novel H1N1 virus was discovered in April 2009 While symptoms have been mild, it has presented itself differently

Seasonal Flu in Texas Estimated to be 1.2-4.9 million cases each year 16,000+ hospitalizations per year 2,228 deaths per year Source: Texas Department of State Health Services

H1N1 June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization declared an H1N1 Pandemic Pandemic declared because of the rapid spread of the illness, not the severity More than 140 countries worldwide have reported cases

H1N1 By June 19, 2009 all 50 states in the US had reported cases of H1N1 The spread did not slow down over the summer Many summer camps experienced a rapid spread of the virus

H1N1 Nationwide 6,506 hospitalizations 436 deaths (as of August 7, 2009) 98 Deaths from influenza among children; 30 of those related to H1N1 Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

H1N1 In Texas 5,218 cases state-wide as of July 31st 270 Hospitalizations 28 Deaths Source: Texas Department of State Health Services

H1N1 General Characteristics Sudden onset of symptoms Incubation period: ~1-4 days Infectious period: 5+ days, starting 1 day before symptoms (longer in children)

Symptoms High Fever Cough and sometimes chest discomfort Congestion/Runny nose Body Aches Fatigue Headache Sore Throat Vomiting and Diarrhea (more common with H1N1)

Treatment Symptomatic Tamiflu and Relenza are name brands of prescription antiviral medications Do not cure the flu, but lessen the symptoms Must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms Not commonly used for prophylaxis

Antiviral Medications are NOT a replacement for receiving the vaccine.

Prevention HANDWASHING Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is effective Hand sanitizer is not a replacement for handwashing!

Prevention Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve DO NOT Cough into your hands! Do not share food or beverages Avoid touching nose, mouth or eyes Stay home if you are sick Avoid close contact with ill people WASH YOUR HANDS

Prevention Take care of yourself; Drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, exercise, eat healthy, manage stress WASH YOUR HANDS

Prevention Get a seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it’s available WASH YOUR HANDS

Prevention- Vaccines Seasonal flu vaccine expected to be available in September One vaccine for adults and most children Children under 9 years of age who have never received a flu vaccine receive 2 vaccines one-month apart Available as an injection or as a nasal spray (Flumist)

Prevention- Vaccines H1N1 Vaccination Expected to be available Mid-late Oct. 2009 Expected to be 2 vaccines 1 month apart Injection Vaccination Priority Pregnant Women Household contacts & caregivers for children younger than 6 months Healthcare & emergency medical personnel All people 6 months through 24 years of age Persons 25 through 64 years of age with high risk health conditions

Actions to Reduce Spread of Flu Early identification of students or staff who exhibit influenza-like illness (ILI) Staying home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone without the use of a fever reducing medicine Practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions For School Infection Control Hand hygiene Cough etiquette Disinfecting commonly touched surfaces Exclude students /staff that are sick Social Distancing Allow adequate spacing between desk in classrooms Align desk one behind the other NOT facing each other Suspend activities that include touching or holding hands Have students eat breakfast and lunch in classroom during significant flu out breaks Suspend transfer of students to others classes during significant flu outbreaks Avoid assemblies during significant flu outbreaks

What to Expect this year Seasonal flu and H1N1 FLU It is not recommended to close schools due to seasonal flu or H1N1 District will determine school closure based on the number of student and staff illnesses and absences.

What is Mission CISD doing? Letter to go out to parents before school starts (English and Spanish) Protect your Health Cold & Flu fliers given to all employees Flu Immunization clinics to be held this fall at each campus District Website has information regarding the Flu

What is Mission CISD Doing? Posters emphasizing hand washing, cough etiquette and basic flu prevention to be visible to all students, parents & staff Education and daily reinforcement of proper Hand washing Custodial staff will continue to clean and disinfect campuses daily using approved agents known to kill viruses including H1N1

What is Mission CISD doing? Nursing staff to continue flu surveillance All students and staff presenting with flu symptoms or a communicable disease will be excluded from school/work. Transportation will continue cleaning buses daily Food Service will continue to work hard to keep their areas clean

Hand washing Education Daily reminders to students to wash hands Wash Those Hands video available in nurses office. Nurses available to teach how to wash hands.

Communication Please communicate concerns regarding the Flu or other communicable diseases with your nurse Refer all students/staff with flu like symptoms immediately to the nurse for evaluation Your school nurse is very educated with regards to the flu and other illnesses. She is a great resource! MCISD Health Services is in communication with Hidalgo County Health Department and are involved in continuous and ongoing monitoring of the flu in our area

More Information to come Vaccinations & vaccination clinics Mission CISD will stay on top of H1N1 and seasonal flu and communicate information as necessary

Texas Public Health Messages Practice good hand hygiene Practice cough/sneeze etiquette Be prepared to get sick Stay home when you get sick Get your seasonal and H1N1vaccinations No aspirin for kids when they are sick Get pneumococcal vaccine as recommended.

Resources www.Texasflu.org www.flu.gov http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/swineflu/index.html http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/schoolflutoolkit.pdf

Resources Posters http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials.htm http://www.publichealth.va.gov/flu/materials/posters_hand_hygiene.asp