The H1N1 (swine) flu pandemic is likely to persist
as a problem into the coming school year and that means school board members
and administrators need to plan now for that possibility. That's according to
Marjorie Cole, a state school nurse consultant with the Missouri Department of
Health and Senior Services. Cole made a presentation on managing a pandemic flu
outbreak at the 2009 MSBA Leadership Summit.
Cole said the
typical pattern for a flu pandemic is for a new virus to emerge in a mild form,
then diminish, and later reemerge in a more serious form. While there have been
only a handful of H1N1 flu cases in Missouri so far, it is possible the flu
will make a strong comeback during the next school year. Cole urges school
boards and administrators to think about policies for school closings and event
cancellations in the event of a major flu outbreak. Earlier this year the
Centers for Disease Control issued guidance urging schools to close if even one
case of the H1NI flu was confirmed. But later that guidance was changed after
it was found to create other problems.
Cole said planning
goals for schools should include:
· Limiting the
spread of the flu virus
· Preserving the
continuity of essential school functions
·
Minimizing educational and social disruption
·
Minimizing economic and academic losses
The presentation on
pandemic influenza planning for schools was just one of the sessions at the
2009 Leadership Summit held in Columbia June 12-13. More than 200 school board
members and administrators attended the event.
Follow this
link for additional pandemic influenza resources.