Safety & Wellness

Additional Information about H1N1 Influenza (swine flu)

Flu.gov Centers for Disease Control and Prevention H1N1 flyer from CDC (PDF) H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You - Questions and Answers from the CDC What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms (CDC) Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home (CDC) FAQ - State Health Department Press release from New York State Web site Updated Case Definitions, Per CDC Handwashing Video from the CDC Time Magazine: Five Absolute No-Nos for the Swine Flu Frenzy (A reader-friendly approach to the issue) The Clean Hands Campaign (provides downloadable brochures, posters and fact sheets) Talking With Children About Swine Flu (PDF) Life Matters

Letters to parents

Letter to all Mohonasen parents, Sept. 9, 2009 (PDF) Letter to HS parents from Principal David Collins, May 1, 2009 (PDF) Letter to all Mohonasen parents, April 29, 2009 (PDF)

H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) information

Oct. 8, 2009

A message from Mohonasen Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Spring

As expected, we are starting to see cases of influenza-like illness at all of our schools.

There have been some rumors circulating throughout the district that school will close because of the number of influenza-like cases. This is not true. School will remain open.

Please keep in mind that at this time last year we had many students who were absent with influenza-like symptoms as well.

ILI or "influenza-like illness" is a new term that I would like all staff and parents to understand since we will be seeing and using it a lot in the coming months.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state health departments are using the term ILI to cover all types of flu, and to remind people with flu-like symptoms that they should stay home and not spread illness whether their illness has been diagnosed as a specific type of flu or not.

I would like to reassure you that we are monitoring the situation, just as all schools have been asked to, in coordination with the local health department.

As a result, our best response still remains to follow the recommendations of the CDC on how to prevent the spread of influenza and other illnesses:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

• Cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.

• Stay home if you are sick or if you have flu-like symptoms. Additionally, avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Please remember that sharing accurate information--rather than giving way to panic or rumors
--is the best way for us to get through this flu season.

For more information about H1N1, please look at the resources at right.

Dr. Kathleen Spring

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