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Home :: Students and Parents :: H1N1 Information
EGUSD's H1N1 Information
Through late spring we all witnessed the evolving information in the media regarding the H1N1 virus. Since that time key Elk Grove Unified staff members have continued to stay abreast of this issue. As such, based on input from the Sacramento County Division of Public Health and key stakeholders, we would like to share with you current information about the H1N1 virus.
As you may recall, at the beginning of the outbreak last spring, the federal government initially declared a public health emergency in the U.S. in response to the H1N1 outbreak. Since they did not know how serious this virus could be, initially public health officials recommended the most protective steps, including the closure of schools for prescribed periods of time due to the virus.
Now, public health officials are indicating that the severity of illness from the new H1N1 strain is no greater than the typical seasonal influenza that circulates in our community every year. At this time, the Sacramento County Division of Public Health is treating H1N1 cases much like the regular seasonal flu and will not close a school due to a confirmed case. Elk Grove Unified continues to monitor cases, logging them and reporting information to the Sacramento County Division of Public Health as necessary.
With the flu season approaching, the Sacramento County Division of Public Health asks that parents follow these guidelines:
- Students with flu-like symptoms, such as a fever of 100.4 degrees or more, muscle aches, a headache, sore throat, a cough, diarrhea and/or vomiting, should remain home until they are symptom free for at least 24 hours. This will limit the spread of a flu virus such as H1N1, as well as many other illnesses.
- The Sacramento County Division of Public Health does not recommend that schools require a doctor's note for healthy or recovered students to return to school.
- Talk to your students about washing their hands thoroughly and often. One recommendation is to teach your child to sing Happy Birthday twice while washing their hands.
- Discuss the importance of covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
The most effective means to reduce the incidence of cross infection resulting in the transmission of bacteria by hand-to-hand, hand-to-surface then hand-to-face contact remains thorough and consistent hand washing. The district uses AeroGreen, an antibacterial foam lotion soap, that is in all EGUSD handwashing dispensers. It is 99.99 percent effective against most common bacteria and is perfectly suited for the healthcare, hospitality, and food preparation industries. Parents and staff are also welcome to bring hand sanitizers to school if they wish.
The Elk Grove Unified School District also cleans school sites daily. Particular attention is paid to “touch point” areas such as desk tops, counter tops, light switches, doors, knobs, handles, pencil sharpeners, stair rails and dispensers. The school district uses H2 orange2, a hydrogen peroxide based cleaning product that eliminates 99.99 percent of germs and viruses from surfaces.
If you have any questions or concerns about the H1N1 virus, please contact Sacramento County Public Health at (916) 875-5881 or find information on their website at www.scph.com.
Proper Hand-Washing Procedures
- Wet hands with running water
- Place soap in palms
- Rub together to make a lather
- Scrub hands vigorously for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice)
- Rinse soap off hands
- Turn off the faucet by using a disposable paper towel (if possible)
- Dry hands with a disposable paper towel. Do not dry hands on clothing.
***Assist young children with washing their hands. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used if soap and water cannot be made available.
Proper Upper Respiratory Etiquette
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing.
EGUSD’s Pandemic Flu Plan
The Elk Grove Unified School District has a Pandemic Flu Plan that addresses communication, continuity of operations, potential school closures and other related needs. The district has also forged strong relationships with the Sacramento County Division of Public Health and other partnering agencies.
Should the district have to close a school at the recommendation of the Sacramento County Division of Public Health, parents would be notified through an emergency calling system and letter home. It is important that parents and staff keep their emergency contact information updated. Parents can update information through their child’s school. Staff should update information through Human Resources. Details about school closures would also be included. In addition, information would be posted on the home page of EGUSD’s website, www.egusd.net.
If you have questions about the district’s Pandemic Flu Plan, please contact the plan coordinator, Jennifer McCain, at (916) 686-7797 X-7253 or at jmccain@egusd.net.
Resource Links
Pandemic Resources
Flu.gov
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/index.html
World Health Organization (WHO)
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/index.html
California Department of Public Health
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Pages/PandemicFlu.aspx
H1N1 Resources
December 1, 2009
H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics to be held at five EGUSD high schools
Five EGUSD high schools – Elk Grove, Florin, Franklin, Sheldon and Valley – will host free H1N1 Flu vaccination clinics, sponsored by Sacramento County Public Health.
Read More
EGUSD: H1N1 Virus - The Facts
Sacramento County Division of Public Health: Seasonal Flu Vaccine Information
Sacramento County H1N1 Vaccination Clinics Schedule
Center for Disease Control (CDC): H1N1 (Swine) Flu
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
California Department of Public Health: H1N1 (Swine) Flu
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/SwineInfluenza.aspx
Sacramento County Division of Public Health: H1N1 (Swine) Flu
http://www.sacdhhs.com/article.asp?ContentID=1995
Family Preparedness
Sacramento Ready
http://www.sacramentoready.org/default.htm
Sacramento County Public Health: Are you Ready?
http://www.sacdhhs.com/article.asp?ContentID=1624
Sacramento County Department of Public Health
http://www.sacdhhs.com/article.asp?ContentID=1461
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