The novel influenza A (H1N1) virus, informally known as swine flu, has caused anxiety around the globe ever since cases of human infections started occurring in late March. Since then, the virulent disease has induced immense planning and preparation for prospective outbreaks in schools. School preparation is directed by government policies written to prevent young children from getting infected by the fatal virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 on June 11, identifying the disease as a global pandemic. Phase 6 increased the concern of state and federal governments to focus on protecting students for the next school year.
State College Area School District is one of the many school systems in the nation taking painstaking precautions in order to prevent and lessen threats. Superintendent Patricia L. Best said, “We are monitoring the situation regarding the virus.”
According to a recent press release publicized by the office, there were three probable cases of H1N1 virus at Mount Nittany Middle School. In the Philadelphia school districts, there were high absentee rates due to students with flu-like symptoms and healthy students distancing from sick students by staying at home later in the school year. Pittsburgh school district reported five confirmed cases in Allegheny County.
Despite all, the Pennsylvania Department of Health did not recommend any school closings in the state relating to the virus. However, students and faculty who are ill and show symptoms such as sore throat, cough, congestion, runny nose, headache or malaise are asked to remain out of school for at least seven days or until they have recovered from sickness.
Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education and Kathleen Sebellus, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services, signed key policy letters on June 11 targeted at teachers, parents and administrators to “address the challenges so many of you have faced as a result of the H1N1 flu outbreak.”
According to the release, the virus has been shown to affect school-aged children disproportionately. Children are known to be highly likely to transmit flu viruses, especially in schools.
The Department of Health & Human Services manages the website Pandemic Flu, which created a planning guide for educators. The guide includes measures to limit the spread of the flu, infection control, social distancing and basic components of pandemic planning.
The collaboration between state and federal departments is helping to minimize virus threats in schools. In Pennsylvania, Health Department Secretary Everette James and Education Department Secretary Gerald Zahorchak each disseminated letters to parents, students and staff on recommendations given by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Since the situation is dynamic, recommendations are likely to change due to evolving circumstances. PADOH (Pennsylvania Department of Health) is committed to providing continuing guidance and recommendations to school systems throughout the Commonwealth,” the secretaries jointly pronounced in the letter.
In an Associated Press interview, Sebellus said that school children could be given the first opportunity to receive swine flu vaccinations in the fall.
“If you think about vaccinating kids, schools are the logical place,” she said.