

	H1N1 Preparedness Plan Summary H1N1 Action Chart Links and More Info

H1N1 Update and Resources

The safety of students and staff continues to be the top priority in District 112 as we monitor the spread of the H1N1 virus.

H1N1 Nasal Vaccine Clinic for Healthy Children 5 through 9 Years Old Sat. Nov. 21
Carver County Public Health is offering a H1N1 Nasal Vaccine Clinic for Healthy Children Ages 5 through 9 from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail East, in Chaska. Enter at Door 23 on the west side of the building.

The clinic is a first-come, first-served walk-in clinic; appointments will not be taken. Nasal spray vaccine will be administered at this clinic at no cost.

The nasal spray vaccine Public Health received for this clinic will only be administered to healthy children 5 through 9 years old. To receive the H1N1 FluMist (Nasal Spray) children in this age group must not be ill, have a weakened immune system or underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. If your child falls into one of these categories, please consult with your medical provider before receiving the H1N1 FluMist vaccine.

Children must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian who can give permission for the vaccine.

Note: Children eligible for this H1N1 clinic (ages 5 through 9) will require two doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine about a month apart.

For more information regarding H1N1, H1N1 FluMist, or other questions and concerns, please contact Carver County Public Health at 952-361-1329 or visit their website at www.ReadyCarver.org or the Minnesota Department of Health at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/index.html.

Clinic Flyer
Clinic Flyer - Spanish

November 2009 - H1N1 Update
From Kristi Juaire, RN LSN NCSN, Coordinator of Health Services
Eastern Carver County Schools

- Update on the District's continuing efforts to respond to the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak
- New information regarding availability of H1N1 vaccine from Carver County.

District 112 continues to monitor absences
The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) is reporting a continued increase in H1N1 influenza numbers, nationally. Minnesota is also seeing an increase in numbers. District 112 is working closely with state and local health departments, following their recommendations to assist with surveillance and prevention of flu. We continue to monitor the numbers of students who are out ill and we ask that everyone who is exhibiting flu-like symptoms remain at home. We are monitoring the health of students while they are at school and are sending them home if they have Influenza - like symptoms.

Carver County now has limited supply of H1N1 vaccine available for priority groups
The best way to prevent influenza is to receive influenza vaccines. In order to meet the H1N1 vaccination needs of high-risk individuals, Carver County Public Health is scheduling H1N1 flu vaccine appointments for the following priority groups:

Children age 6 months through 4 years of age
Parents and primary care providers of infants under 6 months of age, including childcare center and in-home childcare providers.
Children 5 through 18 years of age who have medical conditions that place them at increased risk for flu-related complications
Pregnant women

Please call Carver County Public Health at 952-361-1329 for more information and to determine your eligibility for receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine. Carver County Public Health is especially targeting individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. Some clinics have received H1N1 vaccine so insured individuals from priority groups should first contact their clinic to determine if they are able to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine from their clinic.

Until further notice, the H1N1 flu vaccine is available through Carver County Public Health by appointment ONLY. Dates and locations for any future clinics will be distributed when vaccine and information is available.

Continue to protect yourself and your family
Beyond vaccination, the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to practice good and frequent hand washing using soap and water, cover your coughs/sneezes into your sleeve or tissue, and remain home when you are ill.

If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or greater along with a cough and/or a sore throat, please keep him/her at home. Call your school's attendance office with the reason for the absence and describe the symptoms.

If your child develops any of the following symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not urinating or no tears when crying
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash

The Minnesota Department of Health has a new phone line to call with questions about the flu. The Minnesota Fluline is 1-866-259-4655.

October 2009 - H1N1 Update
Influenza-like-illnesses continue to be observed throughout the state, our community and our schools. The current outbreak is now widespread, according to state health officials.

When the numbers of students with influenza-like illness are absent/sent home reaches 5% of total school enrollment or 3 or more students in an elementary classroom on a given day, school districts notify the Minnesota Department of Health. We notify parents when these levels are reached.

Several District 112 schools have reached the 5% level and were reported to the MDH. These numbers are fluid and may change from day to day. We will continue to monitor absences daily and will keep parents informed as conditions warrant.

Thank you to parents for honoring our request to keep sick children home from school if they are ill with flu-like symptoms. By keeping students home until they go 24 hours without a fever, you are helping us maintain a healthier learning environment. Thank you for your cooperation!

New phone-based service now available for Minnesotans who think they may have the flu.
People with possible flu symptoms can call the Minnesota FluLine (MN FluLine) at 1-866-259-4655 for information and treatment options. Professionals will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People with limited English skills will be connected with an interpreter. There is no charge for the call.

Remember: to help prevent the spread of flu,
- wash hands often
- cover coughs and sneezes into a tissue or elbow
- keep your child home when ill

Remember to call the attendance line at your child's school to report your child's symptoms.

September 2009

As the school year begins, we are monitoring the spread of the H1N1 virus, preparing for a possible outbreak in the weeks ahead. The District is following the guidelines and recommendations of the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Education. As the situation evolves, we will respond with the best interests of our students and staff in mind.

All of our schools will send home any student or staff member exhibiting flu symptoms, specifically a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher with a cough and/or sore throat. The health of our students and staff depends on all of us taking personal responsibility and staying home when ill.

In a letter to parents in August, Superintendent David Jennings suggested several important steps parents must take if we are to keep our schools open and our students and staff healthy. Those steps included:

Keeping students home if they have flu symptoms.
Staying home at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing drugs like Tylenol or Motrin. This usually means 5 to 7 days.
Teaching children to clean their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Teaching children to cover coughs and sneezes.
Teaching children to avoid sharing personal items like drinks, food or silverware.
Identifying children at high risk for complications from influenza and taking additional precautions.
Vaccinating your child.
Learning how to care for a person with flu symptoms and when to seek medical attention.

For the complete letter and further details about the bullets listed, please read the entire Parent Letter.

Extended absences may require emergency planning
The decision to close a school in response to a widespread outbreak of H1N1 flu will be made by Eastern Carver County School officials in consultation with state and county health officials.

We encourage families to create an emergency plan to accommodate the possibility of:

keeping children home for 5 to 7 days as they recover from the flu
keeping children home in the event of a school closing

Call your school nurse
Your school nurse remains a great resource for any questions you may have about the flu. Our nurses welcome your call.

Online resources from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Links and More Information

These links provide complete information from the CDC and the MN Department of Health:
www.flu.gov (CDC)
www.health.state.mn.us (MDH)
www.readycarver.org (Carver County Public Health)

Downloads:
Letter to parent
Influenza screening tool in Hmong
Influenza screening tool in Somali
Influenza screening tool in Spanish
Parent Letter in Hmong
Parent Letter in Somali
Parent Letter in Spanish

Look for further updates and information online in the weeks ahead.