H1N1 Flu and Pittsfield’s Schools
Submitted By John J. Freeman, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools
Many of us have been following the story of the H1N1 flu pandemic over
summer months. With the re-opening of school on August 26 for the
2009-2010 school year, the children and youth of our community will once
again be gathering in large groups, which can cause concern about
contagious illnesses.
Parents and community members should be assured that we in the
schools are taking steps to reduce the spread of the flu in Pittsfield.
Our priority is to keep our schools open throughout the flu season and
to support the continued learning of our students. We are counting on
parents’ help in maintaining a healthy school environment for all.
We are working closely with the New Hampshire Department of Health
and Human Services Communicable Disease Control Section to monitor flu
conditions and to make decisions about the best steps to take for our
students and staff.
The Department has provided guidance to New Hampshire schools in
addressing the impact of the pandemic. In fact, you will find several
informational bulletins on the flu here on our school district website.
You are encouraged to learn more by accessing these sources.
As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person.
We ask parents to help keep our schools functioning as usual by
following these suggestions from our Department of Health and
Human Services:
• Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water
or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or
sneezing, before eating, after using a restroom, and as otherwise
needed. Adults can set a good example by doing this ourselves.
• Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food,
or utensils.
• Teach your children to cover up their coughs or sneezes using
their elbow instead of their hand when a tissue is unavailable. Discard
tissues after use.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu
include fever (100º F or higher), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy
nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people
may also vomit or have diarrhea.
• Keep sick children and youth at home for at least 24 hours after
they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using
fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children and youth at home will
reduce the number of people who may become infected. Any child or youth
determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.
Additionally, Dr. Montero of the Department of Health and Human
Services has provided these facts about the flu virus:
• Flu incubation period is 1-7 days; the average incubation period
for H1N1 is 3- 4 days.
• Flu symptom duration is 3-7 days, but can be up to 14 days; the
average symptom duration for H1N1 is 3-5 days.
• Flu is contagious from 1 day before symptoms to 10 days after
symptoms.
• H1N1 features a high attack rate among young people, those under
24 years of age.
• H1N1 high risk groups include those with respiratory illnesses
(e.g., asthma), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pregnancy, and
immunocompromised individuals.
• H1N1 is generally a mild disease in healthy people.
• H1N1 is expected to affect 30% of population over the next 6
months (at this time).
• H1N1 vaccines are expected to be available in the fall.
Finally, New Hampshire schools are being encouraged by the
Department of Health and Human Services to continue operations as usual;
there is no need to stop travel, gathering in large groups, or cancel
sporting contests. Testing for H1N1 is not being recommended at
this time.
Additional information is available on the following websites:
•
www.dhhs.state.nh
• www.cdc.gov
•
www.flu.gov
As well as the Pittsfield School District website:
•
http://pittsfield-nh.com/sau/
