H1N1 (Swine) Influenza

The following is information for child care providers from the Centers for Disease Control regarding the H1N1 influenza outbreak. Updated information and recommendations will be posted daily at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/. Concerns about local conditions and responses should be directed to state and local health officials as many of the decisions regarding community mitigation (e.g. closure of schools and child care programs) will be made at that level.

Info for Specific Groups from the CDC

• Parents & Caregivers
• Child Care Providers
• K-12 Schools

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Additional Information

For Parents:

• The National Association of School Nurses (NASN)
• Talking to Children About Swine Flu (H1N1): A Parent Resource

For Child Care Programs and Schools:

• Excerpts from “Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools: A Quick Reference Guide, Second Edition” (Copyright American Academy of Pediatrics 2009). To order a copy of this book, visit the AAP Bookstore.
• Hand Hygiene
• Outbreaks, Epidemics, and Other Infectious Disease Emergencies
• As the outbreak has continued to unfold, the U.S. Department of Education, in conjunction with the CDC and the Homeland Security Council, has provided updated guidance to school personnel.
• Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work & School

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School Dismissal and Childcare Facility^* Closure:

• Dismissal of students should be strongly considered in schools with a confirmed or a suspected case epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case.
• Decisions regarding broader school dismissal within these communities should be left to local authorities, taking into account the extent of ILI in the community.
• If the school dismisses students or a childcare facility closes, they should also cancel all school or childcare related gatherings and encourage parents and students to avoid congregating outside of the school.
• Schools and childcare facilities should dismiss students for a time period to be evaluated on an ongoing basis depending upon epidemiological findings.
• Schools and childcare facilities should consult with their local or state health departments for guidance on reopening. If no additional confirmed or suspected cases are identified among students (or school-based personnel) for a period of 7 days, schools may consider reopening.
• Schools and childcare facilities in unaffected areas should begin to prepare for the possibility of school dismissal or childcare facility closure. This includes asking teachers, parents and officials in charge of critical school-associated programs (such as meal services) to make contingency plans.

Child care programs in unaffected areas should make sure their plans are current. Infection control and disease prevention are especially important and will pose the greatest challenge.

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