NewsUpper SchoolPre-K to 8
Flu season blues
Nov 17, 2006 1:00 PM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Dear Parents,
Almost daily, we hear about the outbreak of avian flu and its spreading to more countries around the world. It is important to know that, at this time, avian flu is not occurring in the United States. However, it may arrive here in the near future. Although avian flu has infected millions of birds, it usually does not infect people.
Scientists and public health professionals are concerned that the avian flu virus may change so that it can infect people and spread easily from person to person. This would cause a worldwide flu outbreak, called a pandemic. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information to help your family to prepare for a flu pandemic (click here for more information).
If pandemic flu spreads to Floyd County, officials may need to close schools for an extended period of time (for example, up to six weeks). Begin planning now for your childcare in your home. The purpose of closing schools will be to decrease contact among children in order to decrease their risk of getting sick and to limit the spread of infection. If schools are closed, children should stay at home. During this time, they should stay away from other people and groups, as much as possible. They should not gather in other locations such as homes, shopping malls, movie theaters or community centers.
To limit the spread of germs and prevent colds and flu now and during a flu pandemic, teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, to cough into the shoulder so viruses can dry up and die (click here for informational video), to use tissues for one sneeze only, and to stay away from people who are sick.
Another good way to prevent the flu is by taking the yearly flu vaccine. Only the nasal Flumist has the capability of conferring a mild case of the flu since it contains a weak form of live virus.
Darlington School administrators are currently working on a school-wide plan of action incase a pandemic does occur in the next couple of years. If you have questions, please call Darlington's Student Health Center at 706-236-0428.
Renate Starr
School Nurse
Almost daily, we hear about the outbreak of avian flu and its spreading to more countries around the world. It is important to know that, at this time, avian flu is not occurring in the United States. However, it may arrive here in the near future. Although avian flu has infected millions of birds, it usually does not infect people.
Scientists and public health professionals are concerned that the avian flu virus may change so that it can infect people and spread easily from person to person. This would cause a worldwide flu outbreak, called a pandemic. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information to help your family to prepare for a flu pandemic (click here for more information).
If pandemic flu spreads to Floyd County, officials may need to close schools for an extended period of time (for example, up to six weeks). Begin planning now for your childcare in your home. The purpose of closing schools will be to decrease contact among children in order to decrease their risk of getting sick and to limit the spread of infection. If schools are closed, children should stay at home. During this time, they should stay away from other people and groups, as much as possible. They should not gather in other locations such as homes, shopping malls, movie theaters or community centers.
To limit the spread of germs and prevent colds and flu now and during a flu pandemic, teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, to cough into the shoulder so viruses can dry up and die (click here for informational video), to use tissues for one sneeze only, and to stay away from people who are sick.
Another good way to prevent the flu is by taking the yearly flu vaccine. Only the nasal Flumist has the capability of conferring a mild case of the flu since it contains a weak form of live virus.
Darlington School administrators are currently working on a school-wide plan of action incase a pandemic does occur in the next couple of years. If you have questions, please call Darlington's Student Health Center at 706-236-0428.
Renate Starr
School Nurse
