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RCPS Prepares for Possible H1N1 (Swine Flu) Outbreak

Last update: October, 2009

RCPS is prepared in case Swine Flu (H1N1 influenza) becomes widespread within our area. The following information is being provided for our patrons; we hope you find it useful. We will update it as additional information is received.

• The Center for Disease Control has released a pamphlet for parents which can be downloaded: Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu:A Guide for Parents.

• The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), has produced two videos to inform parents, teachers, school administrators, school nurses and other educators of steps they can take to prevent the transmission of H1N1 influenza (also known as “swine flu”) and seasonal influenza.   The videos — “H1N1 for Parents” and “H1N1 for Educators” — are available for viewing on the VDOE H1N1 influenza Web site at this address: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/influenza/index.shtml.   Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright and VDH Commissioner Karen Remley are asking school divisions to post links to both videos on school and division Web sites and are encouraging school divisions with e-mail notification systems to forward links to both videos directly to parents and staff members.   “The videos focus on practical steps that should be taken in homes and schools to reduce the risk of infection and minimize the disruption of instruction,” Dr. Wright said. “VDOE and VDH will continue to work in partnership to make sure parents and schools have accurate and up-to-date information on H1N1 influenza.”   “The videos drive home the point that students and staff who become ill need to stay home until they are fever free without the aid of a fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours,” said Dr. Remley. “By following this and the other practical steps featured in these brief videos, parents, teachers, principals and other school employees can have a real impact on the spread of H1N1 and seasonal influenza.”     The videos were produced by in-house VDOE staff with guidance from VDH and the assistance of Alexandria Public Schools and Fluvanna County Public Schools.

• RCPS is a participating member of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Disaster Taskforce and are collaborating our efforts with this partnership. Click here to download a H1N1 influenza information sheet from this Taskforce. Each school in RCPS has a Safe School Committee which met on April 29 and reviewed this information sheet. Kenneth Flick is our district emergency planner. Tia Campbell and Cynthia Cave are the contact people for our VA Pandemic Influenza Plan. The RCPS Contact Person is Scott Hand.

• The RCPS Food & Nutrition Service is strongly committed to serving safe food. H1N1 influenza cannot be transmitted through food sources, and eating cooked pork is completely safe. Frequent hand washing of all food handlers continues to be the practice.

• The Center for Disease Control has an informative website about the H1N1 virus at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm CDC also has a website regarding their guidance for state and local school administrators about responses to influenza during the 2009-2010 school year at http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/schoolguidance.html

• The Virginia Department of Education has posted an informative website about H1N1 influenza and Virginia's Public Schools: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/influenza/
  

• RCPS employees were sent an e-mail on September 2, 2009 from Dr. Suzan Guynn, Director of Human Resources, about Student and Staff Health - H1N1 Awareness and Prevention. To see the contents of this e-mail click here.

H1N1 influenza, also known as Swine Influenza (swine flu), is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Due to the ability of the virus to mutate, sporadic human infections can occur. The symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza and typically include fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and runny nose. Additional symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, headache, chills, fatigue, pneumonia and respiratory failure. Persons with H1N1 influenza are contagious for up to seven days after the onset of illness and possibly longer if they are still symptomatic.

VDH encourages anyone with influenza like illness to follow these standard guidelines:

* If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.