IDPH, CDC no longer recommend school closures over H1N1 flu

[May 07, 2009]  SPRINGFIELD -- On Wednesday, Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Illinois Department of Public Health director, reported 225 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu (swine flu) and 20 probable cases in Illinois. Illinois Department of Public Health laboratories are now able to perform confirmatory testing, which is why the state has seen a large increase in the number of confirmed cases over the past couple of days.

On Tuesday, IDPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated guidance on school closures in relation to the outbreak of H1N1 flu. The CDC no longer recommends school closures based solely upon a confirmed or suspected case of H1N1 influenza.

"IDPH is working with the State Board of Education and local health departments to make sure Illinois schools have the latest guidance and recommendations from the state and the CDC on school closures," Arnold said. "Unnecessary school closures could have a negative socioeconomic impact on communities. Therefore it's important for school officials and health officials to work together to decide what is in the best interest of the individual school."

The following points are the most current recommendations from IDPH and the CDC:

• 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.

• Schools that were closed based on previous interim CDC guidance related to this outbreak may reopen.

• Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community, except to seek medical care, for at least seven days, even if symptoms resolve sooner.

• Students, faculty and staff who are still sick seven days after they become ill should continue to stay home from school until at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.

• Students, faculty and staff who appear to have an influenza-like illness at arrival or become ill during the school day should be isolated promptly in a room separate from other students and sent home.

• Parents and guardians should monitor their school-aged children, and faculty and staff should self-monitor every morning for symptoms of influenza-like illness.

• Ill students should not attend alternative child care or congregate in settings outside of school.

• School administrators should communicate regularly with local public health officials to obtain guidance about reporting of influenza-like illnesses in the school.

• Schools can help serve as a focus for educational activities aimed at promoting ways to reduce the spread of influenza, including hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

• Students, faculty and staff should stringently follow sanitary measures to reduce the spread of influenza, including covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or coughing or sneezing into their sleeve if a tissue isn't available), frequently washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer if hand washing with soap and water is not possible.

CDC guidance now focuses upon ways to identify ill students and to keep those students away from the general school population until they are no longer infectious.

For additional information on staying healthy, school guidance, the number of H1N1 cases and more, go to www.ready.illinois.gov.

[Text from Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]