Swine Flu, Letter to Parents

by Nancy Shaw

Dear Parents,

This letter is to inform you and help you prepare for a potential swine flu outbreak. There have been reported cases of the H1N1 virus on the coast of Mendocino.

Local health officials are working closely with state and federal health authorities. There have been cases of H1N1 virus in California. All of those cases have been mild to moderate and those infected have recovered. If you or a family member are exhibiting flu-like symptoms as listed on the enclosed screening tool, please call your local health care provider.

To keep the flu from spreading to more people, we ask you to keep sick children home. Any children who are sick in school will be sent home.

Public health officials want you to protect yourself and your family against Swine Flu. Here are some ways to stop the spread of germs and sickness and take care of your family:

- Keep sick children at home. Don’t send them to school.
- If some of the people in your home are sick with the flu, keep them away from the people who are not sick.
- If some of the people in your home are sick with the flu and you cannot see a health provider, some things you can do to help them are:
- If some of the people in your home are sick with the flu and you cannot see a health provider, some things you can do to help them are:
    o Have them drink a lot of liquid (juice, water)
    o Keep the ill person as comfortable as possible. Rest is important.
    o For fever, sore throat and muscle aches, in adults, use ibuprofen (Motrin) or        acetaminophen (Tylenol). Do not use aspirin with children or teenagers; it can        cause Reye’s syndrome, a life- threatening illness.
    o Keep tissues and a trash bag within reach of the sick person.
    o Be sure everyone in your home washes their hands frequently with soap and        water.

Contact a healthcare provider for further advice. If the ill person is having difficulty breathing or is getting worse, contact the healthcare provider right away.

Call your school (Redwood Elementary and Westport Village School, 961-2860; Dana Gray, 961-2865; Middle School, 961-2870; Ft Bragg High School 961-2880; Noyo High, Lighthouse and Shelter Cove Community Day Schools 961-2889) for school closure information or to report that your child is staying home from school due to illness or flu-like symptoms.

For more information about the Swine Flu you can go to any of the following agencies:
Medical issues: Mendocino County Public Health, 707-472-2675 www.co.mendocino.ca.us/ph/
School issues: Mendocino County Office of Education, 707-462-5096 www.mcoe.us
Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov/swineflu/pdf/keyfacts.pdf