Salt Lake City School District's Response to the H1N1 Flu Concern

Update June 2, 2009: The Salt Lake Valley Health Department has written a letter to parents reinforcing the health department's recommendations for dealing with the flu.
>> SLVHD Parent Letter

Update May 29, 2009: The Salt Lake Valley Health Department sent a letter to Wasatch Front School Districts on Friday, May 29, updating them on the H1N1 virus.
>> SLVHD May 29 Letter

On May 5, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for schools and childcare facilities regarding the prevention of the spread of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. The following information is taken from the CDC Web site.

Based on initial information, CDC recommended consideration of school closure as an option to lessen the risk of infection with this novel influenza virus in order to protect students, staff, parents and other caregivers from a potentially severe disease as well as limit spread into the community.

New information on disease severity warrant revision of the school closure guidance. Most U.S. cases have not been severe and are comparable in severity to seasonal influenza. CDC and local and state health officials will continue to closely monitor the severity and spread of this novel H1N1 influenza outbreak.

Recommendations

  • School closure is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s ability to function.
  • Schools that were closed based on previous interim CDC guidance related to this outbreak may reopen.
  • Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay 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.
  • Students, faculty and 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 have resolved.
  • Parents and guardians should monitor their school-aged children, and faculty and staff should self-monitor every morning for symptoms of influenza-like illness.
  • Ill students should not attend alternative child care or congregate in settings other than school.

For more information, you can visit the CDC School Guidance Web site.

 

 

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This page was last modified June 2, 2009