Swine Flu Update June 2009

As the HiNi Flu, Swine Flu, continues to be reported throughout the United States, New York and Westchester, Yorktown Central School District continues to follow the guidelines and advice of the CDC- Center for Disease and Preventions.

The District also continues to be vigilant in maintaining clean facilities, in checking absentee roles, and in advising our students and staff of the threat of the Swine Flu. We also ask our community to help educate our friends and family about precautions and proper hygiene.

The CDC recommends:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay Home from work/school & avoid public places if you know you are sick with a flu-like illness. You should stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. (Discard used tissues)
• Wash your hands with soap and water often and especially after you sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Don’t share food or drinks or any items of a personal nature.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands or fingers.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

The Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza viruses. Symptoms of Swine Flu appear to be similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu which can include fever, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, lethargy, headache, chills, fatigue and, on occasion, diarrhea and vomiting. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.

The Swine Flu has been categorized as a pandemic flu. It is present in over 70 countries and there are over 21,000 confirmed and suspected cases in the United States alone with 1300 cases in New York. Though many of the infected individuals recover without needing medical attention, there have been deaths. The virus seems to be most damaging to very young children and to individuals with a prior medical history and/or weak immune system.

About Swine Influenza
Information You Should Know

Although the Swine Flu has not yet been reported in Westchester, the Yorktown Central School District would like to share what we know about the virus to inform our community and to keep our students, staff and families safe.

The Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do occur. Symptoms of Swine Flu appear to be similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu which can include fever, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, lethargy, headache, chills, fatigue and, on occasion, diarrhea and vomiting. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.

The cases of Swine Flu which have occurred in the U.S. have been mild cases. If we begin to experiences cases in Westchester, we will follow the advice and directives of our local Department of Health.

There is no vaccine available for this form of the Flu, but the anti-Flu medications Tamiflu and Relenza are effective if taken within the first 48 hours of becoming ill.

As a general precaution, you should remember to speak to your children about proper hygiene: Remember to:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay Home from work/school & avoid public places if you know you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. (Discard used tissues)
• Wash your hands with soap and water often.
• Don’t share food or drinks or any items of a personal nature.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.