News

Monday, April 27, 2009

School Alert Regarding the Swine Flu

As reported in the media, American health officials have declared a public health emergency because of an increase in reported cases of swine flu across the country. As of now, there is no public health emergency in Santa Barbara County.

We have studied various contingencies so that if an outbreak threatens our community we can move quickly to respond to the threat. We will be prepared to close schools, if necessary.

Our schools will remain open during regular hours, and all extra-curricular activities will continue as planned until further notice. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department indicates that there is no reason to change our day-to-day schedules at this time. As of now, there are seven cases in California and each person has been sent home with anti-viral medication.

The California Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend following these flu prevention tips:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with flu, it is recommended that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

We will send more information to our staff, students, and parents as it becomes available.

Thank you for helping to keep our students informed of the precautionary measures they can take over the coming weeks.

For more information on the swine flu and the Santa Barbara County response, please visit the following websites:

Santa Barbara County Public Health Department

• http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HEALTHINFO/DISCOND/Pages/SwineInfluenza.aspx
• 4-27-09 News Release (PDF - English)
• 4-27-09 News Release (PDF - Spanish)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/