2009 H1N1 (swine) influenza virus continues to circulate throughout the country, and is currently causing outbreaks in schools and universities. Continued circulation of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is expected this fall and winter in every county in Illinois, and collaboration between schools and local health departments will continue to be an important component of our efforts to minimize the impact of influenza on health and education.
What Schools (Early Childhood, K-12, and Universities) and Child Care Facilities Can Do
- Share flu information with parents and staff.
- Practice good infection control practices.
- Advise parents to keep their children home if they become sick with flu-like symptoms.
- Emphasize the importance of everyday actions that students, parents, and staff can do to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve if you do not have a tissue.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If sick, stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
- Track influenza-like-illness (ILI) and absenteeism in schools. Click here for:
- Participate voluntarily in CCDPH’s H1N1 school vaccination program.
- Participate voluntarily in CCDPH’s H1N1 licensed childcare vaccination program.
Additional Resources:
- Seasonal Flu Information for Schools and Childcare Providers: HTML (CDC Website) CDC Updated 7-1-09
- H1N1 Guidance for (K-12) School Administrators for 2009-2010 School Year: HTML (CDC Website) CDC Updated 8-31-09
- Flu Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education for the 2009-2010 Academic Year: HTML (CDC Website) CDC Updated 8-26-09