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9/8/2009
Monterey County Health Department Press Release
(Information and Questions/Answers including the Self-Triage document)
Spanish version
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9/2/2009
Student with possible H1N1
Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff:
This is an important update about the occurrence of the H1N1 virus, or “Swine Flu,” within the Pacific Grove Unified School District.
One student at Pacific Grove Middle School has been diagnosed with an Influenza A type virus, which may be the H1N1/Swine Flu virus. According to Monterey County Health Officer Hugh Stallworth, “Currently, H1N1/Swine flu is a lot like seasonal flu. Most people who get it have only a mild illness, and most get better on their own without medicine.”
The recommendation from health officials is to keep schools open and running normally. Any individual who exhibits flu-like symptoms will be sent home from school, but other family members of infected individuals do not need to stay home. As a school district, we continue to be vigilant in our cleaning procedures, and we are training staff and students about how to prevent the spread of influenza. We are working with the Monterey County Heath Department to monitor the cases of H1N1 and flu-like illnesses and we will keep you updated if the situation changes significantly.
We need your help to prevent the spread of the virus by taking these precautions:
- Stay home from school or work if you are sick. Return to school or work only when your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of anti-fever medications (like Tylenol).
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbows or sleeves. Coughing into your hands can spread the germs to others.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Get seasonal flu vaccinations for the entire family.
If you have questions or concerns, you may call me at 646-6523.
Thank you for helping take care of our students’ health.
Cindy Gallo, Director of Student Services
cgallo@pgusd.org
PDF copy of this letter in English and Spanish
8/24/2009
This is a message from Dr. Hugh Stallworth of the Monterey County Health Department.
Back to School and the Flu
Cases of pandemic A H1N1 influenza continue to be seen in our community
The kids are back in school and in addition to notebooks, crayons and pencils they can also be carrying flu and cold germs. This year parents may be especially concerned due to H1N1/swine flu. The Monterey County Health Department understands that parents and caregivers are concerned and would like to offer an update as well as some tips about preventing the spread of germs.
“Currently, H1N1/swine flu is a lot like seasonal flu. Most people who get it have only a mild illness, and most get better on their own without medicine,” said Dr. Hugh Stallworth, Health Officer for Monterey County, “As with the seasonal flu, some people are more likely to get seriously ill if they come down with the flu. Those at high risk of becoming seriously ill include children under 2, adults over 65, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or asthma.”
Prevent the spread of germs
There are simple actions that individuals can take to help prevent the spread of germs in our community:
· Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbows or sleeves. Coughing into hands can spread germs to others.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water. Hand sanitizer is also effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
· Get seasonal flu vaccinations for the entire family.
· Stay home from school or work if sick. Return to work or school when your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of anti-fever medications like Tylenol
For more information including the symptoms of influenza and when to seek medical attention, please see the attached release.
Contacts: Hugh F. Stallworth, MD, MPH Lisa B. Hernandez, MD, MPH
Health Officer 755-8942 Deputy Health Officer 755-4585
PDF copy of the Press Release
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