Information About Swine Influenza
As a precaution, and consistent with the activation of New York State’s Health Emergency Preparedness Plan, the Yonkers Public Schools wants to provide students, parents/guardians and staff with information about Swine Influenza (Flu) and the precautionary steps being taken by the District.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently identified human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in people in the United States. CDC is working with local and state health agencies to investigate these cases. As with any contagious disease, they are recommending precautionary measures for people residing in these areas. Further information is available at the CDC website.
Practical Advice for Parents
- Teach children to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and to throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Teach children to wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective, and remember to always follow the label directions.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- If your children or you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from school or work and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Please call your children’s school to let them know why they are absent.
Practical Advice for School Staff
- Observe children and if any display flu like symptoms, refer the child to the school nurse.
- Encourage children to cover their mouths when they cough and to regularly wash their hands.
In addition:
- Maintenance and Food Services Departments continue to use disinfectants in their cleaning solution and have stepped up the cleaning of our facilities.
- School nurses received additional guidance and information from the district’s Health/Medical Department
- School administrators have disseminated factual information to all staff to encourage communication and identification of potentially effected students or staff.
