H1N1 Flu Update

The district Pandemic Response Group held its first weekly meeting last Friday and reviewed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza during the 2009-2010 School Year.

The interim guidance document was announced Friday at a joint news conference by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. The guidelines offer a range of options for responding to 2009 H1N1 influenza in schools, depending on how severe the flu may be in their communities.

It’s important to note that the recommendations may need to be revised to meet the specific needs of San Diego Unified and/or as more information becomes available. The district will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis.

For more information, please visit the flu.gov website at http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/schoolguidance.html or call the district Nursing and Wellness at (858) 627-7580.

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