Print
E-mail
Comment
Preparing for flu season
By Chris Michlewicz
With flu season looming ahead, schools countywide are ramping up efforts to deal with the potential threat of the H1N1 influenza virus, better known as Swine Flu.
Although district officials are not overly concerned about an outbreak within Douglas County schools, they are nonetheless ensuring that proper procedures are in place in the event that swine flu is detected. The public panic that ensued after dozens of cases were discovered in the United States earlier this summer still has some on edge, including parents who want to know if their children will be safe.
Celia Flanigan, a school nurse consultant with the district, said she does not anticipate school closures largely because the H1N1 virus has not proven to pose a major threat.
“I don’t think the severity will be any more than any other flu. Actually, it has been less,” Flanigan said. “If we get a positive [swine flu] test, it doesn’t matter because the treatment is the same.”
An H1N1 vaccine is in the approval stages and will soon be manufactured in mass quantities. It is expected to be widely distributed in the fall, but the Douglas County School District is uncertain whether it will receive a supply. Doctors have been using Tamiflu, which is also used to treat seasonal influenza, with much success since the first cases of swine flu appeared in the states.
“H1N1 is the flu, and we just need to keep that in mind and take precautions and not create undo panic” said Susan Meek, interim communications director for Douglas County schools. “We’re being proactive in our planning.”
Even when most classes were not in session, the district was closely monitoring protocol changes issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and has been working with the Tri-County Health Department to make sure school staff members are following the correct plan of action.
A registered nurse is assigned to each school, and nurse consultants are on call to answer questions from parents throughout the year. Those employees receive regular updates on procedures from the state and local health agencies.
“Whatever they say is what we do,” Meek said. “It’s changing everyday.”
The 30-page Pandemic/Epidemic Incident and Action Plan was disseminated to department directors and serves as a guideline for all types of situations. It’s also used as a contingency plan for learning plans in the event of a school closure.
If a child exhibits flu-like symptoms, they are not separated or isolated from the classroom; those students are sent home sick as if it were any other illness. It’s important that those who go home sick remain there so as not to spread any virus around. The district is encouraging social distancing to help contain any possible outbreaks, Meek said.
At this point, health officials are not recommending anything above standard immunizations for students, Flanigan said. H1N1 procedures and tips on avoiding the virus have been sent out to parents of DCSD students.
Concerns among some parents have waned since the H1N1 epidemic first made headlines.
“It seems fairly easy to contain and it isn’t killing people like they thought it would,” said Shelly Burke, whose third-grader attends school at Summit View Elementary School in Highlands Ranch. “I know some people are still a little worried, but there doesn’t seem to be much to be worried about.”
The World Health Organization declared a pandemic in June and says the threat of the H1N1 virus is still very real. Its Web site says the implementation of public health measures aimed at limiting social interaction are likely to have a major impact on economic conditions, as well as day-to-day activities.
Widespread sickness resulting in a high absence rate among the faculty would prompt a school closing. Districts should plan “to function with up to a 30 percent workforce absentee rate,” says the U.S. Health and Human Services Pandemic Influenza Plan, a document to which the school district is adhering.
For more information on the Douglas County School District’s preparation for the upcoming flu season, visit www.dcsdk12.org and click on the ‘Parent & Student Central’ icon.
Although district officials are not overly concerned about an outbreak within Douglas County schools, they are nonetheless ensuring that proper procedures are in place in the event that swine flu is detected. The public panic that ensued after dozens of cases were discovered in the United States earlier this summer still has some on edge, including parents who want to know if their children will be safe.
Celia Flanigan, a school nurse consultant with the district, said she does not anticipate school closures largely because the H1N1 virus has not proven to pose a major threat.
“I don’t think the severity will be any more than any other flu. Actually, it has been less,” Flanigan said. “If we get a positive [swine flu] test, it doesn’t matter because the treatment is the same.”
An H1N1 vaccine is in the approval stages and will soon be manufactured in mass quantities. It is expected to be widely distributed in the fall, but the Douglas County School District is uncertain whether it will receive a supply. Doctors have been using Tamiflu, which is also used to treat seasonal influenza, with much success since the first cases of swine flu appeared in the states.
“H1N1 is the flu, and we just need to keep that in mind and take precautions and not create undo panic” said Susan Meek, interim communications director for Douglas County schools. “We’re being proactive in our planning.”
Even when most classes were not in session, the district was closely monitoring protocol changes issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and has been working with the Tri-County Health Department to make sure school staff members are following the correct plan of action.
A registered nurse is assigned to each school, and nurse consultants are on call to answer questions from parents throughout the year. Those employees receive regular updates on procedures from the state and local health agencies.
“Whatever they say is what we do,” Meek said. “It’s changing everyday.”
The 30-page Pandemic/Epidemic Incident and Action Plan was disseminated to department directors and serves as a guideline for all types of situations. It’s also used as a contingency plan for learning plans in the event of a school closure.
If a child exhibits flu-like symptoms, they are not separated or isolated from the classroom; those students are sent home sick as if it were any other illness. It’s important that those who go home sick remain there so as not to spread any virus around. The district is encouraging social distancing to help contain any possible outbreaks, Meek said.
At this point, health officials are not recommending anything above standard immunizations for students, Flanigan said. H1N1 procedures and tips on avoiding the virus have been sent out to parents of DCSD students.
Concerns among some parents have waned since the H1N1 epidemic first made headlines.
“It seems fairly easy to contain and it isn’t killing people like they thought it would,” said Shelly Burke, whose third-grader attends school at Summit View Elementary School in Highlands Ranch. “I know some people are still a little worried, but there doesn’t seem to be much to be worried about.”
The World Health Organization declared a pandemic in June and says the threat of the H1N1 virus is still very real. Its Web site says the implementation of public health measures aimed at limiting social interaction are likely to have a major impact on economic conditions, as well as day-to-day activities.
Widespread sickness resulting in a high absence rate among the faculty would prompt a school closing. Districts should plan “to function with up to a 30 percent workforce absentee rate,” says the U.S. Health and Human Services Pandemic Influenza Plan, a document to which the school district is adhering.
For more information on the Douglas County School District’s preparation for the upcoming flu season, visit www.dcsdk12.org and click on the ‘Parent & Student Central’ icon.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. |
