• Introduction

• Background Information

• Impact

• What Needs to Be Done

• Public Health Actions

• Conclusion

• References

• With the identification of each new dangerous strain of influenza, scientists have expressed concern that the world is due for a pandemic

• The U.S. Department of Education is collaborating with health experts and agencies across the federal government to ensure that, in the case of a flu outbreak, critical operations and services will continue.

http://pics.tech4learning.com

Source: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html

• State and local preparedness will be crucial in preventing the spread of the virus.

• Because schools are centers of community life, we ask that educators and administrators work with local officials to make planning for a flu outbreak a priority.

http://www.pics4learning.com/details.php?img=classroom.pngSource: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html

• Novel H1N1 Flu (initially called swine flu) is a new virus currently causing illness in people in all 50 states and in many countries around the world

• It contains a previously unknown combination of genetic material from swine, avian and human influenza viruses

http://eastern.tennessee.edu/ag/EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/DOWNLOARD%20-%20EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/Novel%20H1N1%20Flu%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

• The virus was first detected in April 2009 in persons in the United States, Mexico and Canada

• The virus has spread from person to person through the coughs and sneezes of infected people; similar to how the seasonal flu spreads

http://eastern.tennessee.edu/ag/EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/DOWNLOARD%20-%20EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/Novel%20H1N1%20Flu%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

• Ill persons can be contagious from one day before they become ill, to 7 days after illness starts

http://eastern.tennessee.edu/ag/EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/DOWNLOARD%20-%20EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/Novel%20H1N1%20Flu%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonhambright/3499974844/in/photostream/

• Each of New York City’s 1,500 public schools will start the year with support from the City’s influenza-prevention campaign, which uses posters and guidance to incorporate proper techniques for covering coughs and washing hands into classroom instruction

• Restrooms will be stocked with soap and paper towels, and parents will get written reminders to keep their children home when they’re sick

http://text.nycenet.edu/Home/Spotlight/swine.htm

• The City will also explore the possibility of making alcohol-based hand sanitizer available in schools, and students will be allowed to use hand sanitizer brought from home

http://text.nycenet.edu/Home/Spotlight/swine.htmhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonhambright/3498535698/

• Schools should evaluate the resources and technology they have available to continue delivering learning services off site

• This would include everything from take-home course packets to online materials, Listservs, and new services, such as social networking through YouTube and Twitter

http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/guidance/continuity-qa.pdf

• PCs, laptops, DVD and MP3 players or other audiovisual recording devices may be used. Conference calls and Internet-based webinar-style classes may be effective ways of delivering class material

• Schools should collect or update the relevant contact information for students so that teachers can check in with students and their parents to deliver lessons

http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/guidance/continuity-qa.pdf

• Some County Health Departments engage in tracking of influenza illness on a routine basis year‐ round.

• Medical providers in the community report the number of patients that are seen each week with flu‐like illness during flu seasons.

http://eastern.tennessee.edu/ag/EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/DOWNLOARD%20%20EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/Novel%20H1N1%20Flu%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

• This data is monitored for unusual increases in disease, and for identification of the virus strains that are circulating in the community.

• In addition, the health department is providing disease prevention information to the community to promote healthy habits that will assist to prevent illness spread within our community.

http://eastern.tennessee.edu/ag/EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/DOWNLOARD%20-%20EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/Novel%20H1N1%20Flu%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

• The swine flu is a serious problem in education today

• Schools are the main institution where the virus is spread from person to person

• The pandemic can be stopped as long as the population is educated on the subject

Hambri, Brandon. A Real Epidemic. 2009. Flickr.com. 28 Oct 2009 <http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonhambright/3499974844/in/photostream>

Hambri, Brandon. Beware the Swine Flu. 2009. Flickr.com. 28 Oct 2009 <http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonhambright/3498535698/>

Inc., Tech4Learning,. classroom.png. 10/20/09. Pics4Learning. 27 Oct 2009 <http://pics.tech4learning.com>

Katie. piggy.jpg. 2007. Pics4Learning. 27 Oct 2009 <http://pics.tech4learning.com>

"Latest Information on H1N1 (Swine) Influenza." NYC Department of Education. Web. 28 Oct. 2009. <http://text.nycenet.edu/Home/Spotlight/swine.htm>.

"Lead and Manage My School." Www.ed.gov. U.S. Department of Education, 21 Oct. 2009. Web. 29 Oct. 2009. <http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html>.

"Novel H1N1 Flu Fact Sheet." Hamilton County, Tennessee. Web. 28 Oct. 2009. <http://eastern.tennessee.edu/ag/EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/DOWNLOARD%20-%20EMERGENCY%20PREPAREDNESS/Novel%20H1N1%20Flu%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf>.

"Preparing for the Flu During the 2009-10 School Year." Www.ed.gov. U.S. Department of Education. Web. 28 Oct. 2009. <http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/guidance/continuity-qa.pdf>.