H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information

Dear DCTS Students, Parents, and Guardians:

In response to concerns over the pandemic influenza H1N1, I would like to share with you the guidelines and precautions Dauphin County Technical School is taking.   These guidelines were made available from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

Recommended School responses for the 2009-2010 school year

1. Stay home when sick:
   Students and staff members with influenza-like illness (ILI) should not come to school.  In general, individuals with ILI should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.  This recommendation should be adhered to whether or not the sick individual received treatment with antiviral drugs.  Since the usual duration of fever is 2-4 days, this will allow most individuals to return after a period of 3-5 days of exclusion. 
   
   The DCTS nurse will promptly identify students who become ill while at school.  Additionally, every attempt will be made to evaluate students who return to school after influenza illness to make sure they are no longer ill with fever and are well enough to attend class. 

2. Separate ill students and staff
   Sick students and staff should always be required to stay home.  Students and staff who appear to have an influenza-like illness on arrival at school or who become ill during the school day should be promptly separated from other students and staff and sent home as soon as possible.
   
   Our staff recognizes the importance of updating parent/guardian contact information and continues to update these contacts.
   
   The DCTS nursing staff will care for ill staff and students until they can be sent  home.  Every possible measure will be taken to isolate these individuals from the rest of the school population.  The nursing staff will take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from infection, including wearing a surgical mask and gloves.

3. Hand hygiene:   
   Influenza can spread through contaminated hands or objects that become contaminated with influenza viruses.  Students and staff are encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.  Signs reminding staff and students to wash their hands are posted in all bathroom stalls and above urinals throughout the school building.  Hand sanitizers are also available in all classrooms.

 

4. Respiratory etiquette:
   Influenza viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person when an ill individual coughs or sneezes.  This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose or are inhaled by people nearby.  Student and staff members are reminded of the importance of covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throwing the tissue in the trash after use.  If a tissue is not available, staff and students are encouraged to sneeze and, or cough into their sleeve rather than their hand. 

5. Routine cleaning:
   Schools should regularly clean all areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact.  DCTS is promoting the cleaning of computer keyboards by providing alcohol wipes for staff and students.  Additionally, the custodial staff is continuing as always to disinfect all areas used by staff and students.

6. Early treatment of high-risk students and staff:
   Persons at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible for appropriate treatment recommendations.  Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can reduce the risk of complications, including the need for hospitalization.

7. Consideration of selective school dismissal:
   Selective school dismissals may be considered based on the population and circumstances of an individual school.  Any decision to close DCTS due to H1N1 will be determined by the administration in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

8. Absenteeism monitoring:
   DCTS is closely monitoring daily attendance in order to identify patterns of school absenteeism.  Any increase in school absenteeism do to illness will be promptly reported to the PA Department of Health for an appropriate response.  All precautions will be taken to prevent an outbreak. 

Additional Information
CDC Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza during the 2009-2010 School Year 
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/schoolguidance.htm

PADOH Public Web Site, H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?q=252990

County Health Departments:
http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/health/comm/comm.asp?COUNTY=all

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/

www.flu.gov

http://www.h1n1inpa.com/