H1N1 Flu & U.S. Schools: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. Department of Education last updated these FAQs

on May 5, 2009, at 6:00 PM ET.

Guidance is subject to change as the flu situation develops.

Check www.ED.gov for updates.

BACKGROUND

Starting almost two weeks ago, scientists became increasingly concerned about a new and

potentially severe form of influenza known as H1N1. Over the last week, H1N1 has spread widely

through the United States and the world. The outbreak of H1N1 has prompted school closures

and cancellation of school-related events over the last few weeks. As the flu spreads, the

Department of Education (ED) encourages school leaders, parents and students to know how to

take action to reduce the spread of the virus and report illness.

Surveying the country, the overall impact of H1N1 flu on schools in the United States has been

relatively small, so far. On Tuesday, May 5, 2009, more than 700 schools were closed for health

reasons. It is important to remember that there are 15,000 school districts and approximately

100,000 schools in the United States.

UPDATED GUIDANCE

Initial cases in the United States were associated with travel to Mexico, and many initial cases

occurred among school-aged students and were associated with school-based outbreaks. Based

on this initial information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended

school closure as an option to lessen the risk of infection with this novel influenza virus in order to

protect students, staff, parents and other caregivers from a potentially severe disease.

New information on disease severity prompted health experts to revise the school closure

guidance. The majority of U.S. cases have been less severe than initially reported from Mexico

with fewer hospitalizations and deaths. CDC and local and state health officials will continue to

closely monitor the severity and spread of this novel H1N1 influenza outbreak.

On May 5, 2009, CDC updated its guidance to reflect a more developed understanding of the

H1N1 virus. Based on this information, CDC changed its recommendation to focus school-based

efforts on early identification of ill students and staff, a recommendation to stay home when ill,

and good cough and hand hygiene etiquette as the primary means to reduce spread of influenza

in schools. Decisions about school closure should be at the discretion of local authorities based

on local considerations, including public concern, the impact of school absenteeism, and staffing

shortages.

But it is still essential that we all prepare and plan—especially at our schools. Do what is

appropriate for the health of your communities, your schools and your students, and rely on

guidance from the CDC. Even as this potential threat subsides, schools must be prepared for a

range of threats and hazards and develop “all-hazards” plans that address a variety of situations.

ED, in consultation with CDC and other federal public health experts, has attempted to answer

here some common questions about H1N1 that are circulating among members of the education

community. Remember that the best guidance on health questions comes from physicians, public

health agencies and other health experts. ED has relied on CDC guidance to compile the

information we are providing here, and we have provided Web links to their sites at the end of this