Updates:

H1N1 Update for Parents

The New York State Department of Health reports that the number of influenza cases is widespread in New York State. The Chautauqua County Health Department will be coming to our school to offer H1N1 (Influenza A) vaccine clinics in the near future. As soon as we have the date for the clinic, we will send out a notice through global connect and on our web site. If you have any questions, please contact your school nurse.

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The Center for Disease Control has provided information on What To Do If You Get Sick. They also have provided fact sheets about the 2009 H1N1 inactivated vaccine (the "flu shot") and the 2009 H1N1 activated vaccine (administered via nasal spray).

Schools across the country are opening and preparing for the H1N1 Flu.

While the H1N1 statistics remain similar to the typical influenza flu, there is a lot of concern about its spread. In response, the Fredonia School District is following the guidance of the New York State Department of Health and the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We will notify families and staff as we become aware of H1N1 policies, changes to policies, and program developments.

In an effort to help prevent the spread of the flu, Fredonia Central School District will have alcohol-based sanitizers available for students in grades 3 through 12 to use. They will be placed in rooms where there is no access to soap and water for hand washing. The alcohol-based sanitizers will be placed in a location where there will be adult supervision. Research shows that washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water is very helpful in infectious disease prevention, but the CDC and the NYS Department of Health encourages the use of alcohol-based sanitizers when soap and water is not available. If you do not want your child to use alcohol-based sanitizers, please submit a note to the health office.

At present, the recommendations from the State Health Department and the CDC are to (1) increase awareness of H1N1 and infection control; (2) ensure that students and staff stay home when they are sick; and (3) prepare for the possibility that H1N1 might become widespread during this school year.

The State Health Department and CDC offer the following facts and guidelines at this time:

What do parents need to know now about the H1N1 Flu?

• The H1N1 Flu isn't a more severe flu, it's just a new strain. It spreads easily and the vaccine is now available. Contact your health care provider for information about obtaining the vaccine.
• So far the cases of influenza have been mild; but complications have occurred in people with chronic health conditions and a case of this flu.

What Are the Signs of H1N1 Flu?

• Fever of 100°F (37.8° C) or greater
• Cough
• Runny Nose
• Sore Throat

What should you do if your child has signs of H1N1 Flu?

• If your child has symptoms, please keep them home from school until their health improves and for at least 24 hours after he or she is fever free.

How long should your child stay out of school?

• Until at least 24 hours after they are free of a fever (100°F (37.8° C) or greater) or free of signs of a fever — all without the use of fever-reducing medications (common fever reducing medications include Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin).

How can I help to prevent the H1N1 Flu?

Teach your child the following practices:

• The best prevention is to wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing (keep washing for at least 20 seconds or about as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice)
• Use alcohol based hand sanitizers if appropriate, to clean hands if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue in the trash (if no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve-not your hand). Wash your hands afterwards.

What is the Fredonia Central School District doing about the flu?

In addition to the implementing the recommendations from the State Health Department and the CDC stated above, we are monitoring absences and illness and keeping families informed as circumstances require.

If you have questions or concerns and your child is a student in the Elementary, Middle or High Schools, please contact the District Health Office at 679-1581, Extension 2756 or 2758. If your child attends the Wheelock School, contact the Nurse’s Office at 679-1581, Extension 3704.

Updates can be found at:

The Centers for Disease Control 2009 H1N1 Flu U.S. Situation Update
Flu.Gov's School Planning Pages
New York State Department of Health H1N1 Influenza Pages