H1N1 flu (also called swine flu) is all over the news this week. As of today there are 65 cases of H1N1 flu in the U.S. School nurses have been asked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work on the front lines to provide education that will help decrease the spread of this disease.

Willow Springs School Health Services has formulated a brief action plan to help mitigate the spread of this and other germs at school. These are simple, daily steps that will stay in place as regular practices for our district. In the event of an outbreak of H1N1 flu in Willow Springs, additional measures will be implemented.

A word about the language of infection and infectious diseases: The term “outbreak” is often misunderstood and is often thought to mean the same this as “epidemic”. An outbreak refers to one case of the disease in a certain population, like a school. An epidemic is when the disease is spreading rapidly through a population and many people are sick.

Steps we are taking to decrease the spread of all infections at Willow Springs School include:

· Hand washing. Students are able to wash hands several times a day. Hand sanitizers are also used

· Teaching good cough and sneeze habits that include covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or sneezing into the elbow to keep droplets from spreading

· Sending students who are ill to the nurse to be checked for fever or other problems. Parents are called as needed

· Cleaning desks, computer keyboards and other surfaces regularly

School administrators and the School Health Team are working together to put plans in place in case of an outbreak of H1N1 flu in Willow Springs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Education are developing guidelines for responding to this disease. Some actions will be recommended, others will be required. Information will be posted on the school website and may be sent home with students.

If you have questions about H1N1 flu or about our plans for dealing with an outbreak, please call the High School Health Room at 469-2114, ext 310.

Be well!