The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that influenza illness, including illness associated with the novel influenza A H1N1 virus is ongoing in this country. In April 2009, cases of human infection with a novel H1N1 influenza virus were first reported in Southern California and near Guadalupe County, Texas. By now, all U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans. So many cases have been reported internationally across the globe that World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled this as a pandemic. To view the latest information visit CDC's FluView web page.
Even though CDC is reporting a decline in flu activity, it remains higher than normal for this time of year. You can combat fear with common sense – stay informed and take simple precautions. Hygiene Helps! Wash your hands and clean countertops, door knobs, and other surfaces that hands often touch. If you become sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
The experts have communicated that food safety is not an issue.
Health officials continue to recommend that schools regularly clean and disinfect surfaces as a normal practice. Education Secretary Duncan said that the Department was working to remove all impediments to creating safe and healthy schools.
SDA offers these common sense reminders:
Seek information from credible sources
Stay informed about your communities intervention plans
If you have a sore throat, fever or cough, stay at home
According to CDC, this severe form of influenza known as H1N1, originally referred to as "swine flu", has health officials around the world concerned. This flu virus is thought to spread in the same way that seasonal flu spreads – mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people or toughing something with the flu virus on it. Symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Contact your health care provider to learn if flu testing or medication is needed.
CDC offers this guidance for cleaning and disinfecting your home:
Throw away used tissues then wash your hands
Disinfect surfaces especially in the bathroom
Do not share a sick persons bed linens, eating utensils and dishes before washing thoroughly first
For further information on taking care of a sick person in your home, see the CDC web page.
Click on the links below to view and download a variety of health and hygiene materials to help you prepare for cold and flu season! If you prefer to order hard copies*, click here to use the order form. Tell us how you will use these in your schools and we will waive the service fee during cold and flu season! (*quantities limited)
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