This note from Superintendent Phyllis Edwards was distributed to parents and interested non-parents yesterday evening.

In related news, Emory’s H1N1 vaccine trials on children started yesterday.

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As you may know flu-like illness is circulating in our region and community. We are beginning to see students with flu like illness in all the schools. The illnesses are generally mild with symptoms lasting only a few days. Please know that we will inform you of any significant increase in numbers of absences related to flu like illness or any clustering of illness. We will not, however, inform you of each incidence of illness that shows up in a school.

We are working closely with the DeKalb County Board of Health and following the guidelines from the CDC to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the next steps to take concerning schools. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.

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It’s pretty obvious that the H1N1 virus – more ominously known as the “swine flu” – has been on the minds of many Decatur parents for the last couple weeks as their kids have headed back into the classroom.

This may sound like a generic opening line to a story, but it’s true.

Never before have I received so many unsolicited emails asking me to find out what specific policies Decatur’s school system will implement to mitigate the threat of the H1N1 virus.

And within 12 hours of inquiring, I received a response.  Associate Thomas Van Soelen supplied this list of actions and policies that CSD has put in place to help lower the risk of a flu outbreak.

We are engaging in the following:

1. Staying in close contact with the DeKalb County Board of Health and following their guidelines

2. Will follow the guidelines put out by the CDC on Friday for school exclusion. CDC recommends that people with flu like symptoms remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are fever free (100 degrees) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

3. We are offering information to parents about prevention methods such as thorough and frequent handwashing, covering mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying home when sick in school newsletters. This will also be on the website.

4. We will be implementing additional routine cleaning for high touch areas like computer keyboards and auxiliary equipment, door handles, sink handles, etc.

5. We are putting up signage in schools reminding about prevention methods

6. We will be tracking influenza like illnesses and following up as necessary in each school

7. We (in conjunction with DeKalb Board of Health) will be offering seasonal flu vaccine at 2 school sites probably in October for students (with parental permission), and staff as we have done in the past. We have no definite information about the H1N1 vaccine as yet. We are watching just like everyone else.

Maria Lewis sent out this note from School Health Coordinator Sally Dobbins…

Dear CSD Families,

Although CDC has issued a public health emergency related to swine flu, Georgia has no confirmed cases. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to seasonal flu: sore throat, body aches, fever, headache, cough and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.  Swine flu, like seasonal flu, is spread mainly person to person through coughing or sneezing.   As with any flu or infectious disease prevention is critical. Read the rest of this entry »