School administrators, nurses step up education on swine flu

School administrators, nurses step up education on swine flu

Parent Swine Flu update
4/27/09

The Cape Elizabeth School Department administration and school nurses have been in contact with and have been advised by the Maine Centers for Disease Control regarding swine influenza (H1N1). At this time there are no cases of swine flu detected in Maine. Symptoms of swine flu in people appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular human influenza and include fever with cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

With many students and staff returning from spring vacation, Maine CDC is providing the following guidance for schools. At this time, Maine CDC recommends that schools increase education on respiratory hygiene and monitor students and staff for acute febrile respiratory illness. Staff and children should all be taught and asked to follow these steps that prevent the transmission of infections such as influenza:

1. Cover your coughs and sneezes.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
3. Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.
4. Stay home if you're sick, especially with a fever. School participants with acute febrile respiratory illness, regardless of travel history, will be sent home according to established school procedures with instructions to stay at home until 24-48 hours after their symptoms resolve. Families should seek medical care with worsening of symptoms.

At this time, exclusion is not recommended for school participants who have recently traveled to an affected area and who do not have symptoms. We will update staff and parents as we receive further instructions from the Maine and U.S. CDC.

For further information,
Maine CDC Web site on Swine Flu: www.mainepublichealth.gov
U.S. CDC Web site on Swine Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu