H1N1 Flu and school employees

Updated 9/14/2009

As school districts brace for the onset of the H1N1 flu this fall, it is important that school employees understand what they  can do to help limit the spread of H1N1, and what they can do to protect themselves in the process.

CSEA has established an H1N1 task force to address employee safety concerns and members’ rights regarding the H1N1 flu virus. The task force is also working to ensure classified employees, who are often the initial points of contact at most schools, have the tools and data necessary to protect the health of students and staff.

New guidelines for schools
Last spring, many schools closed down when confirmed cases of H1N1 (also known as swine flu) were detected. The virus is now too widespread to contain, so public health officials are advising against closing schools unless deemed absolutely necessary. However, they are still asking schools to take extra precautions.

Last week, state educators were briefed by Gil Chavez, Director of the Department of Public Health's Center for Infectious Diseases and Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

"Clearly this is a disease that on average may not be very severe, but among some people it has the potential to create serious illness and death," Chavez said. "So from that perspective, it's something that we need to take seriously."

State Superintendent O’Connell issued new guidelines to schools on how to respond to influenza during the school year. O’Connell’s office has been working closely with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the H1N1 virus response and has been regularly sending out advisories to county and district superintendents.

"The threat of infection by H1N1 is a reality we must deal with, but we don't need to panic," O'Connell said. "If every school reinforces and implements the preventative measures recommended in the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Education, that can go a long way toward keeping our students and school staff healthy, as well as our greater California community."

Personal safety
The new school guidelines include information on safety items such as masks and gloves to be worn by school staff in direct contact with ill students, as well as when and how long staff and students should stay home if they get sick.

In terms of personal safety, CSEA recommends that you use common sense and follow all safety procedures. If you have further concerns about your personal safety, we suggest that you talk to your supervisor, and if necessary, contact your CSEA representative.

Additionally, because frequent hand washing is such a critical part of our influenza mitigation effort, the State Superintendent is urging County Superintendents to ensure that soap and water and/or hand sanitizers are available for both students and staff at all school sites and district offices.

The CDE has a variety of resources to help schools prepare for and prevent the spread of pandemic influenza. These resources are available in multiple languages on the CDE Influenza Web page.

The following are the specific updated recommendations from the CDC:

• Stay home when sick: Staff and students with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they have discontinued the use of fever-reducing medicines and no longer have any signs of a fever.
• Separate ill students and staff: Students and staff who appear to have flu-like illness should be sent to a room separate from other people until they can be sent home. CDC recommends that they wear a surgical mask, if possible, and that those who care for ill students and staff wear protective gear such as a mask.
• Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette: Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
• Routine cleaning: School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often. Districts can continue to use the cleaners they typically use; special cleaning with bleach and other non-detergent-based cleaners is not necessary.
• Early treatment of high-risk students and staff: People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with flu-like symptoms should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medication is very important for people at high risk, because it can prevent hospitalization and death. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma, diabetes, compromised immune systems or neuromuscular diseases.

Paid status during school closures
If you work in a school, college or county office of education and it is closed due to flu or suspected flu cases, you should continue to receive your pay and benefits. If a site is closed, it will continue to receive its ADA funding.

Pursuant to Ed Code sec. 46390 and 46392, the LEA will receive the a.d.a. for the closed school. For additional information on this question, please contact the School Fiscal Services Division at 916-322-3024.

Additional updates from CSEA
We will continue to update csea.com with all the latest resources provided by education and health agencies.