District 181 continues to receive reports that students and staff have been identified by their care provider as having probable H1N1 illness. Testing for H1n! is only being completed on persons hospitalized with influenza-like illness, however some health care providers may utilize private laboratories to test conclusively for H1N1. Although testing to confirm H1N1 was routinely completed last spring, most health care providers are currently diagnosing H1N1 based on patient symptoms and/or a nasal swab that tests positive for Influenza A. While most seasonal flu is also type Infuenza A, it is less likely that seasonal flu would be prevalent this early.

H1N1 influenza activity is well established nationally and locally, therefore we know absences associated with influenza like symptoms have a higher probability of being caused by the H1N1 virus.

We continue to follow the recommendations of the DuPage County Health Department with the implementation of mitigative measures. Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer is encouraged throughout the school day. Surfaces with frequent hand contact are cleaned daily. Daily absenteeism reports are submitted to the DuPage County Health Department. While the total number of absences may increase at a school, we are carefully monitoring the percentage of students and staff absent because of flu-like illness. During the week ending 6/4/10, student influenza-like illness was 0% and staff influenza-like illness was 0%. Total student absences (absences that includes all illness, vacations, funerals, etc.) ranged from 0%-6%.  Three schools (Walker, Monroe, and Madison) had 10% to 11% student absences on 5/28/10 primarily due to vacations. Following daily analysis of our absenteeism data and other surveillance information, the DuPage County Health Department will notify the school district if there are significant spikes in our absences due to influenza-like illness. The DuPage County Health Department does not recommend parent notification of individual cases of suspected H1N1.

Parents can help minimize the spread of H1N1 or seasonal flu by keeping sick children at home until at least 24 hours after they are fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications including acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Reporting whether a child has influenza-like illness or is absent for another reason allows us to report accurate information to the DuPage County Health Department. School staff have been instructed to follow these same procedures. As a reminder, influenza like illness includes fever >100% and a cough and/or sore throat, in the absence of a KNOWN cause other than influenze.

Click here for information regarding H1N1 immunization clinics in DuPage County. Please not at this time the H1N1 flu mist will be available at the immunization clinics, however the inactivated vaccine given by injection may also be available soon.

To stay healthy and prevent the spread of flu, remember the 3 Cs:

• Clean - wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
• Cover - your cough and sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not your hand.
• Contain - your germs. Stay at home if you are sick.