Case of Swine Flu confirmed at McNulty

Late in the afternoon on June 18, 2009 the Greater Amsterdam School District was notified that there was a confirmed case of H1N1 (swine flu) in McNulty Academy. The Montgomery County Health Department was notified. Letters were sent home on Friday, June 19, 2009. State and local health departments have advised us that students can continue to come to school, as long as they are not sick and do not think they have flu symptoms. The Center for Disease control states that new information on disease severity warrant revision of the school closure guidance. Most U.S. cases have not been severe and are comparable in severity to seasonal influenza. It also states that school closure is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s ability to function. However, CDC and local and state health officials will continue to closely monitor the severity and spread of outbreak.

CDC also recommends that students, faculty or staff with flu-like symptoms should stay home and not attend school for at least 7 days even if symptoms resolve sooner. Flu-like symptoms include: fever (over 100 degrees F.), feverishness, cough, sore throat, runny nose, or stuffy nose. Additional symptoms may be experienced with swine flu, including muscle pain, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.

• It is important to teach your children how to reduce their risk of getting the flu and protect others from infection.

• Teach your children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds is ideal (that’s about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).

• Teach your children the proper use of hand sanitizer. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes all work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. Hand wipes must be disposed of properly. Always read and follow label instructions when using hand sanitizer.

• Teach your children to keep their hands away from their face and avoid touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.

• Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of their elbow. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve—not your hands!

• Help your children to learn these healthy habits by setting a good example and always doing them yourself.

Any student displaying the above symptoms while at school will be isolated. The parent will be contacted and requested to pick up their child immediately. If we all practice good hygiene, health officials believe we can limit the spread of flu in our school at this time. Some of the precautions the district is taking include disinfecting commonly touched surfaces such as desk tops, door knobs, stair rails, etc. Our normal cleaning and sanitizing of restrooms that we do each evening has been augmented with an increased awareness of disinfecting.

Our utmost concern is our students’ welfare and we are taking all precautions to ensure their safety by providing you with this information.

For more information on swine flu, visit the Center for Disease Control's website.