Milton, FL - The Santa Rosa County Health Department is urging parents to prepare for how they will care for their children in the event school closures are necessary to contain the spread of H1N1 (swine flu). 

 

Florida has two confirmed cases of H1N1 (swine flu) – one in Lee County and one in Broward County – and both were students in public schools.  “While there are no confirmed cases in our county and no current need to close any of our schools, we want parents to begin preparing for that possibility,” said Shannon L. Jacobs, M.A., M.P.H., administrator of the health department. 

 

  Jacobs said the health department will work closely with the school district, private schools, and daycare centers to determine if school closures are necessary to contain the spread of swine flu.  “We have been communicating with our county school district leadership all week, and we are ready to act quickly to protect our children’s health if we are faced with an outbreak,”  Jacobs said. 

 

 What Parents Should Do

• Plan for 14 days of childcare. This length of time is recommended because children are likely to be infectious for about 7 – 10 days after the onset of illness.
• Make advance arrangements with your employer concerning the need for time off during the potential swine flu outbreak.  Devise a preliminary work schedule and determine if contingency plans such as flexible hours or working from home are acceptable.
• Start networking with other parents in the community to develop support systems, consider childcare options, and provide shared solutions to common issues.
• Plan learning activities and exercises that your children can do at home, and gather materials such as books, school supplies, and educational computer activities. 
• Talk to your teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations about your school's pandemic plan, and offer your help.
• Consider that many of your child’s extracurricular activities may be cancelled, as congregating in large numbers may further contribute to the spread of disease.

 

Guidance on School & Daycare Closures  

Guidance from the Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  recommends the consideration to temporarily close schools and daycare facilities in order to decrease the spread of illness in the community.  Specifically:   ·         Schools with one or more probable or confirmed swine flu cases among students, faculty or staff.  ·         A school district or part of a school district if more than 1 school in the district or geographic area has a probable or confirmed swine flu case among students, faculty or staff. ·         If a school dismisses students or a daycare facility closes, school or childcare-related gatherings should also be canceled to avoid gathering in large numbers. More information about the recommendations for K-12 school and daycare closings are available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/K12_dismissal.htm.