Microsoft word - h1n1a.docx

TAS Guidelines for Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
Taipei American School is following the guidelines established by the Ministry of
Education and the Ministry of Health, as well as the guidelines published by the Center
for Disease Control (CDC) (www.cdc.gov). We are also monitoring confirmed or
probable cases of the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus in a preventive effort.
The current recommendation from the Ministry of Education is that if there are
two cases of H1N1 detected in a single classroom, that particular class must be
suspended for 5 days. TAS will follow this protocol. However, new information
from the CDC has stated that the severity of this virus is similar to the seasonal
influenza.
Typical Symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1):
• Stomach symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can also occur, but are The spread of H1N1 person-to-person is thought to be through coughing or
sneezing.
Help Prevent the Spread:
• Maintain good health by eating nutritious food, drinking plenty of water, getting adequate sleep, and practicing physical exercise regularly. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away in the trash after you use it. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread through touch. • Avoid sharing drinking glasses, straws, spoons and other eating utensils. • Avoid close contact with patients with influenza-like symptoms. • Avoid being in crowded and poorly ventilated places for an extended period of Treatment:
• If the patients have mild symptoms of illness, such as low grade fever and lack of appetite, he/she is advised to stay home. • Get a lot of rest and drink plenty of water. • There are over the counter medications to relieve the symptoms of the flu. Do not give Aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly high fever. • Do not return to school or work until 5 days after the symptoms have begun. Epidemic/Pandemic Protocol
• Coordination of the H1N1 cases will be through the Administrative offices at the • TAS needs to have updated contact information for all families. • We promote good hand hygiene (including teaching proper hand washing technique and providing opportunities and appropriate supplies for hand washing), regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in school, as well as other infection-control measures. • Through our Health Office and our school nurses, we have established several • TAS encourages parents to develop contingency plans should their children become sick and need to stay home or in the event their school is forced to close. • TAS will be using our OLC (Online Classroom) if alternative methods of education are • TAS will work closely with the local authorities: Ministry of Education and Ministry of
Teachers
• Monitor students and report anyone showing flu-like symptoms to the nurse • Encourage students in KA-12 to wash their hands frequently during the school day, as well as use the hand sanitizers around campus. • Reinforce the need for students to follow prevention measures that have been explained and are posted in the building. • Follow up with the student who is absent. School Nurse (Health Office)
• Staff members will be encouraged to wash their hands frequently with soap and • Students or staff members who have influenza-like symptoms are strongly recommended to stay home and consult with their doctors. • Student and staff members with influenza-like symptoms during the school day should report to the school nurse immediately. • If there is no confirmation of symptoms, the student or staff member may return • If symptoms are confirmed by the nurse, parents will be notified in order to pick up the student as protocol. The school recommends seeing the doctor as soon as possible. All family members are excluded from school and must receive medical clearance to return to school /work. • The school will notify the nurse’s office of returning students. • A Medical Clearance from a doctor is required to return to school (confirming the student or staff member does not have Influenza A). • Report to the Principals and Superintendent all possible, probable, and • Field trips will be determined on a case-by-case basis using the most recent guidelines from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, as well as guidelines put out by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). • After school activities will be determined based on the spread and severity of • Sick students should stay at home and notify the school nurse of influenza–like • The school nurse should be notified if a student or parent comes in contact with someone with Influenza A (N1H1) or influenza-like symptoms. • Reassure children that we are all primarily concerned about their health, safety and well-being. Students should also be responsible for their own health. • Notify the school nurse if your child has been diagnosed with Influenza A Students
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water. If there is no soap and water available, use alcohol-based hand gel. Wash hands before eating, drinking, or touching the face. • Use a tissue to blow the nose and then immediately throw the tissue away. • Cover the mouth with tissues or arms when coughing or sneezing. Do not use hands • Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. • If feeling sick, report to any teacher or school nurse right away. • A student who is sick with an influenza–like illness (fever with at least a cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chill, fatigue, vomiting or diarrhea) should stay home and minimize contact with others. • Try to maintain a distance of 6 feet away or more from the person with influenza-like symptoms (who’s coughing or sneezing). • If a student is sick, stay home and drink a lot of water and rest until feeling well. • Any student who is diagnosed with H1N1 must stay home upon recommendation by doctors. After being cleared of flu symptoms, the student must provide the nurse’s office with a doctor’s certificate before returning to school. Facility Maintenance
• TAS cleaning staff has improved the cleaning and disinfection efforts. • Several areas are receiving additional attention and care, such as bathrooms, wet areas, doors, railings, food areas, etc. • Our buses are being disinfected prior to students entering.

Source: http://tiger.tas.edu.tw/adm/email/h1n1.pdf