1. 1 Dudley-Charlton Regional School District H1N1 Prevention and Response “…to advance the knowledge and well being of our children and our community.” of our children and our community.”

2. 2 Dudley-Charlton Response Participants  Dudley and Charlton Boards of Health  Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee  Dudley Fire and EMT Service  Dudley Police  Charlton Fire and EMT Service  Charlton Police  Harrington Hospital  Local Emergency Planning Board

3. 3 PURPOSE Review DPH and DESE guidance concerning H1N1 and to review surveillance and preventative measures. Background Information – Current District Response MPH guidance Vaccination information Answer questions and comments

4. 4 Why the focus on schools? Confirmed Cases of H1N1 Influenza in MA, as of 9/3/09 1399 confirmed cases Median age 14 yrs 63% of confirmed cases ≤ 18 years 13% hospitalized 11 H1N1 attributable deaths 36 child deaths in US; 80% > age 5 Southern US now seeing increase in cases <5 5-11 12-18 19-25 26-44 45-64 65+ Age Group in Years Percentage of confirmed cases Source: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health

5. 5 Student Education Classroom teachers and nurses collaboratively planned and delivered lessons on coughing etiquette, appropriate hand washing and the importance of staying home when sick Classroom teachers and nurses collaboratively planned and delivered lessons on coughing etiquette, appropriate hand washing and the importance of staying home when sick Health and physical education teachers have delivered lessons throughout October focused on preventative measures to stay healthy Health and physical education teachers have delivered lessons throughout October focused on preventative measures to stay healthy Coaches are delivering the same message to all athletes participating in fall and winter sports Coaches are delivering the same message to all athletes participating in fall and winter sports Schools will display prevention posters in key areas such as entrances, cafeterias and offices Schools will display prevention posters in key areas such as entrances, cafeterias and offices

6. 6 Surveillance SPRING 2009 Student dismissals due to Influenza-like illness (ILI) were monitored Student dismissals due to Influenza-like illness (ILI) were monitored Collaborated with DPH, local boards of health concerning confirmed cases and messages to families Collaborated with DPH, local boards of health concerning confirmed cases and messages to families FALL 2009 CDC, state and local boards of health not requiring H1N1 confirmation testing CDC, state and local boards of health not requiring H1N1 confirmation testing H1N1 confirmation testing recommended for high-risk cases only (e.g. hospitalization) H1N1 confirmation testing recommended for high-risk cases only (e.g. hospitalization) Student dismissals due to ILI are monitored Student dismissals due to ILI are monitored Weekly review of student/staff absenteeism at each building Weekly review of student/staff absenteeism at each building

7. 7 DPH/DESE Guidance H1N1 Symptoms: similar to normal human seasonal influenza ► Fever 100.4 ► Coughing or sore throat ► Headache/body aches ► Runny or stuffy nose ► Chills ► Fatigue In addition to the above symptoms, a number of H1N1 flu cases reported vomiting and diarrhea.

8. 8 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD, SEASONAL FLU & H1N1 SYMPTOMS SymptomCold Seasonal Flu H1N1 FEVERRareCommonUsual COUGHING Hacking, productive Dry and hacking Non-Productive ACHESSlightModerateSevere STUFFY NOSE CommonUncommonUncommon CHILLSUncommon Mild to moderate Common TIREDNESS Fairly mild Moderate, no energy Moderate to Severe SNEEZINGPresentPresentUncommon SUDDEN SYMPTOMS NoNoYes HEADACHE Fairly common Fairly Common Very Common SORE THROAT CommonCommonUncommon CHEST DISCOMFORT Mild to moderate Moderate. If it turns severe, seek medical attention Severe

9. 9 Exclusion period 1. Must stay home for 24 hours after no fever and no fever-reducing medications. 2. Most can expect to stay home about 4 days: 3 with fever plus one more day 3. Fever with influenza can last 2-5 days or more

10. 10 VACCINATION GUIDANCE H1N1 initial target groups as identified by the CDC: Pregnant women Pregnant women Household contacts/caregivers of infants < 6 months Household contacts/caregivers of infants < 6 months Children and young people, age 6 months to 24 years Children and young people, age 6 months to 24 years People age 25 to 64 with certain medical conditions People age 25 to 64 with certain medical conditions Health care providers and emergency medical services personnel Health care providers and emergency medical services personnel VACCINATION AS PROTECTIVE MEASURE: Seasonal flu vaccination is being recommended for children/young people between the ages of 6 months and 18 years old Seasonal flu vaccination is being recommended for children/young people between the ages of 6 months and 18 years old H1N1 flu vaccination is recommended for children/young people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old H1N1 flu vaccination is recommended for children/young people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old Participation is voluntary Participation is voluntary The District has partnered with local health/safety officials to develop a coordinated plan for the administration of vaccine to school-age children and families The District has partnered with local health/safety officials to develop a coordinated plan for the administration of vaccine to school-age children and families

11. 11 QUESTIONS/COMMENTS