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H1N1 (“Swine Flu”) Update: School Closure Protocol

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 97
POLICY CODE: EEBA

DATE: April 29, 2009
TO: Superintendents of Schools, Private Schools, Special Purpose Private Schools, and School Nurses
FROM: Commissioner Susan A. Gendron, Department of Education
RE: H1N1 (“Swine Flu”) Update: School Closure Protocol

We continue to coordinate with and take our lead from Dr. Dora Anne Mills at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) as we make preparations for the possibility that in the coming days there will be confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza (“swine flu”) in some Maine students. It is likely that some will, and that some schools may have to close for several days to a week, due to confirmed or probable cases.

On all matters of public health, we are deferring to Dr. Mills, who is following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) guidance. The US CDC has issued protocols for school closure (see below) which Maine CDC and the Maine Department of Education will be following closely.

  • In the event that Maine CDC becomes aware of a confirmed or probable case of swine flu in a public school student, Maine CDC will contact the superintendent of the school in order to close the school and send students and staff home. If a sibling of the affected student is in another school, that school should also be closed. Dr. Mills will provide guidance on how long the school will remain closed and provide other support. We currently anticipate a closure would be for seven calendar days.
  • All superintendents should have plans in place to quickly arrange for school closure in the event that a case is confirmed, or considered probable, in one of his or her schools.
  • Schools should activate their pandemic flu plans if they have not already done so. Most school systems have plans in place that were created in the past few years. Also, over 120 school nurses in the state have participated in pandemic flu training over the past two years. If your schools do not have a pandemic influenza plan in place, visit our swine flu page (www.maine.gov/education/swineflu.html ) for a link to a checklist that can assist you in making immediate plans to respond.

 

Please note that I will issue a blanket waiver to the 180-day minimum school year requirement for any school that is closed due to influenza, resulting in fewer than 180 days.

I strongly encourage you to stay informed about developments since this event is rapidly changing and resulting guidance is as well. The US CDC’s website has updated national information and guidance, and can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ .

Maine CDC’s website has updated Maine-specific information, including daily updates, as well as links to federal information. It can be located at:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/swine-flu-2009.shtml or found on the Maine CDC’s homepage:
www.mainepublichealth.gov .

The best of all defenses continues to be respiratory hygiene and increased education efforts in the school community (and all communities):

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.
  • Stay home if you are sick, especially with a fever.

Industrial hygiene should also be stepped up to include cleaning of surfaces, particularly public water fountains and bathrooms.
Any student or staff member with acute febrile respiratory illness, regardless of travel history, should be sent home according to the local school board policy with instructions to stay home until 24-48 hours after the symptoms resolve (no fever for 1-2 days). Instructions should be given to seek medical care with worsening symptoms.

AT THIS TIME EXCLUSION IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL OR STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECENTLY TRAVELED TO AN AFFECTED AREA AND DO NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS.

Below is a summary of the guidance from US CDC to schools:

  • Dismissal of students should be strongly considered in schools with a confirmed or a suspected case epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case.
  • Decisions regarding broader school dismissal within these communities should be left to local authorities, taking into account the extent of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) in the community.
  • If the school dismisses students or a childcare facility closes, it should also cancel all school or childcare related gatherings and encourage parents and students to avoid congregating outside of the school.
  • Schools and childcare facilities should dismiss students for a time period to be evaluated on an ongoing basis depending upon epidemiological findings.
  • Schools and childcare facilities should consult with their local or state health departments for guidance on reopening. If no additional confirmed or suspected cases are identified among students (or school-based personnel) for a period of 7 days, schools may consider reopening.
  • Schools and childcare facilities in unaffected areas should begin to prepare for the possibility of school dismissal or childcare facility closure. This includes asking teachers, parents and officials in charge of critical school-associated programs (such as meal services) to make contingency plans.

 

We will continue to send updates as information warrants, and Nancy Dube, the Department’s school nurse consultant, is in regular contact with school nurses via their listserve.

If you have further questions about swine flu or require further guidance, please: 1) contact your school nurse, who is well informed and may have had training in pandemic flu; 2) contact Nancy Dube RN, School Nurse Consultant, at 207-624-6688 or Nancy.Dube@maine.gov ; or 3) visit our H1N1 (swine flu) page with information and links to resources: http://www.maine.gov/education/swineflu.html .