UPDATED: Fort Worth ISD warns parents about flu

September 21, 2009





Dear Parents/Guardians:



Tarrant County Public Health officials advise us the H1N1 2009 virus has become common in schools across Tarrant County and in the Fort Worth-Dallas Community. Additionally, they say, because it is now known that the symptoms are generally mild, the treatment, and the prevention measures are the same for H1N1 flu as for seasonal flu, it is no longer necessary to perform a lab test, report results to the local health department or to warn everybody of every sick person with whom they may come in contact. The H1N1 virus is present and currently the main virus is in the community, and school campuses are not excluded.  The H1N1 2009 virus first identified in spring of this year across Tarrant County and the DFW area, as well as across the state, nation and globe, has never left this area; it was in our community then, and it is in our community now.  



The Fort Worth ISD is working closely with the Tarrant County Public Health Department, state and national health authorities to monitor the situation. Cases of students who present flu-like symptoms are reported each week to the Tarrant County Public Health Department by each of our schools.  



What is Fort Worth ISD doing to protect my child from the flu?

• Teachers, administrators and trained staff will assess and monitor all illnesses. Absenteeism rates will also continue to be monitored and reported to the Tarrant County Public Health Department on a daily or weekly basis.
• Fort Worth ISD is practicing infection control. Staff are instructed to teach and use proper hand washing techniques and cough etiquette. We will continue to ensure that our schools and buildings are clean and commonly touched surfaces such as door knobs, desks, restrooms, stair rails, etc. are cleaned daily with approved cleaners. 
• Posters are being displayed on campuses regarding proper hand washing and cough etiquette.
• Staff and students who are ill will be sent home. Staff and students who become ill at school will be kept separated from healthy staff and students until they are able to go home. Staff and students are to stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
• Seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines will be encouraged for students and staff. Students and staff that are in a high-risk population (pregnant women, those with chronic illness such as diabetes and asthma, those that live a household of a baby under 6 months of age, and people 6-24 years old) are highly encouraged to receive the seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccine. Speak to your healthcare provider about obtaining a flu and H1N1 vaccination.
• School dismissal. At this time the flu is expected to be mild. According to CDC guidelines, school closure is not recommended for disease control. We will continue to work closely with the Tarrant County Public Health Department should conditions warrant further action.
  
  

How can you protect your family?

• If your child is sick due to flu-like symptoms, please let your school know immediately that this is the case.
• Update your emergency and contact information at your child’s campus.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu and how it spreads. Symptoms include fever over 100.3 degrees or more, sore throat and cough. Many people have a runny nose, fatigue, body aches and loss of appetite. The virus is transmitted through the coughing or sneezing of people infected with the virus.
• If you are ill, stay home. You will need to stay home for at least 24 hours after fever subsides without the use of fever reducing medications. The same holds true for any family member.
• Get a seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible for all members of your family. Consult your health care provider or community health center for guidance.
• Get the H1N1 vaccine if you are part of a target group. The vaccine should be available in mid-October. Consult your health care provider for guidance and to determine if you are in a target group.
• Practice infection control measures at home. Teach all family members to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after using. If tissues are not available, cough/sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use paper towels for drying hands or assign everyone their own towel. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Try to avoid sick people. Keep commonly touched surfaces clean by wiping them with a household disinfectant and use according to the product label.
  
  

Fort Worth ISD will continue to do what it takes to keep our schools healthy, safe, and functioning normally. Our goal is to decrease exposure to the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu, while limiting the disruption to learning. If the flu is determined to be more severe than expected, additional measures will be taken to protect students and staff.  We will update you with information as we receive it. Please visit our Web site for additional information at www.fwisd.org as well as the Tarrant County Public Health Department site at www.tarrantcounty.com



If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your school principal or a Fort Worth ISD administrator for additional information.





Melody Johnson, Ph.D.

Superintendent Fort Worth ISD

Dear Parents:



In an effort to keep you updated, we want to let you know we are experiencing an increase in cases of influenza and flu-like symptoms at our school. However, we want to reassure you there is no need for alarm.



Following the most recent recommendations by the Tarrant County Public Health Department, as well as state and national health authorities, all influenza cases -- including the H1N1 flu -- are being treated in a very similar way to the manner they are treating the seasonal flu.  



What is Fort Worth ISD doing to protect my child from the flu?

• Teachers, administrators and trained staff will assess and monitor all illnesses. Absenteeism rates will also continue to be monitored and reported to the Tarrant County Public Health Department on a daily or weekly basis.

• Fort Worth ISD is practicing infection control. Staff is instructed to teach and use proper hand washing techniques and cough etiquette. We will continue to ensure that our schools and buildings are clean and commonly touched surfaces such as door knobs, desks, restrooms, stair rails, etc. are cleaned daily with approved cleaners.

• Posters are being displayed on campuses regarding proper hand washing and cough etiquette.

• Staff and students who are ill will be sent home. Staff and students who become ill at school will be kept separated from healthy staff and students until they are able to go home. Staff and students are to stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

• Seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines will be encouraged for students and staff. Students and staff that are in a high-risk population (pregnant women, those with chronic illness such as diabetes and asthma, those that live a household of a baby under 6 months of age, and people 6-24 years old) are highly encouraged to receive the seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccine. Speak to your healthcare provider about obtaining a flu and H1N1 vaccination.

• School dismissal. At this time the flu is expected to be mild. According to CDC guidelines, school closure is not recommended for disease control. We will continue to work closely with the Tarrant County Public Health Department should conditions warrant further action.

How can you protect your family?

• If your child is sick due to flu-like symptoms, please let your school know immediately that this is the case.

• Update your emergency and contact information at your child’s campus.

• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu and how it spreads. Symptoms include fever over 100.3 degrees or more, sore throat and cough. Many people have a runny nose, fatigue, body aches and loss of appetite. The virus is transmitted through the coughing or sneezing of people infected with the virus.

• If you are ill, stay home. You will need to stay home for at least 24 hours after fever subsides without the use of fever reducing medications. The same holds true for any family member.

• Get a seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible for all members of your family. Consult your health care provider or community health center for guidance.

• Get the H1N1 vaccine if you are part of a target group. The vaccine should be available in mid-October. Consult your health care provider for guidance and to determine if you are in a target group.

• Practice infection control measures at home. Teach all family members to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after using. If tissues are not available, cough/sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use paper towels for drying hands or assign everyone their own towel. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Try to avoid sick people. Keep commonly touched surfaces clean by wiping them with a household disinfectant and use according to the product label.

Thank you for your support and for your vigilance.  With your help, we can protect your child and minimize the impact of this illness in your child’s life.



Sincerely,



(Name of Principal Here)