H1N1 (Swine) Influenza Information
FOR INFORMATION OR HELP CALL
WEST HARTFORD-BLOOMFIELD HEALTH DISTRICT
860-561-7928
For information, click here for the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District website.
Absences have returned to normal levels district-wide and the absence chart will no longer be updated. We will continue to monitor absences carefully and if circumstances warrant it, we will return to the practice of daily/weekly updates of the absence chart. Here is the final weekly chart: Student absence rate due to illness by school
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD, SEASONAL FLU & H1N1 SYMPTOMS
Current Vaccine Priority Populations
October 29, 2009, letters from the Superintendent
English
Spanish
West Hartford Public Schools and the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District are working jointly to determine the need for school-based H1N1 flu vaccine clinics. On October 28, 2009, a letter was sent to West Hartford parents asking for information about interest in these clinics to be certain the vaccine is available in sufficient numbers. Parents are asked if they plan to use a school-based clinic, obtain immunization from a private physician, or forgo immunization. Please see the links below for the full letter, available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
English letter
Spanish letter
Vietnamese letter
We urge parents, staff and students to review the information below on the H1N1 Influenza, in order to exercise optimal health hygiene practices, and to stay informed about potential health issues.
New links as of October 16th regarding the nasal spray and the injection:
H1N1 Live Vaccine Nasal Spray - English
H1N1 Live Vaccine Nasal Spray - Spanish
H1N1 Flu Shot - English
H1N1 Flu Shot - Spanish
Links as of October 8th to answer questions about the H1N1 Vaccine:
NEW: Questions & Answers: 2009 H1N1 Nasal Spray Vaccine
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/nasalspray_qa.htm
NEW: Key Facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_keyfacts.htm
NEW: People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/highrisk.htm
NEW: What Should Pregnant Women Know About 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm
See the link below for guidance from the CDC on dealing with the spread of flu among students and staff for the 2009/2010 school year:
http://flu.gov/plan/school/schoolguidance.html
See information below from Connecticut State Epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Cartter giving further guidance on deciding when a child should be kept home from school.
When to keep your child home
The Connecticut Dept. of Public Health asks residents to take precautions to prevent getting the flu or spreading it by staying home from work or school if they are sick, washing their hands constantly, and coughing into their sleeve or a tissue. People who become ill with influenza-like symptoms should contact their health care provider, who will determine if influenza testing or treatment is needed. For further information, see the web sites below:
http://www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch/cwp/view.asp?a=2533&q=315238
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
http://www.ct.gov/dph
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pdf/handwashing.pdf
Click here for a short video on how to prevent the spread of germs, geared to elementary school children:
Click on these links to view videos about washing your hands:
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DiseasePrevention/H1N1/Video/PSAs/SpreadTheWord_English.htm
http://www.healthrock.com/cartoons/wash-your-hands
Click here to watch a video on the correct way to sneeze
“Put Your Hands Together” – A video on handwashing suitable for students and adults:
http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/HandsTogether/index.html
Click here of a listing CDC website information in multiple languages:
http://www.cdc.gov/Other/languages/
CT State Health Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin and Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan letter of 4/28/09 regarding Swine Influenza A Information for Schools:
http://www.whps.org/whps/swinefluschool_health_advisory_4-28-09.pdf
WHPS letter to West Hartford parents, on 4/29/09 and 6/8/09 in English and Español:
http://www.whps.org/swine flu letter.pdf
http://www.whps.org/swine flu Spanish.pdf
http://www.whps.org/Second Letter Regarding H1N1 Virus - June 8, 2009.pdf
http://www.whps.org/8 de junio del 2008 Flu.pdf
Yale Center for Public Health Preparedness
In addition to H1N1 info, this site has basic information published by the Yale School of Public Health, includes useful Newsletters on various Public Health Preparation Topics.