GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOL LEADERS

GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOL LEADERS

Q: What should schools be doing now? Should we close our schools?

A: On May 5, 2009, the CDC changed its guidance to recommend to schools that school closures

are not warranted at this time. Schools that have cases do not need to close, and schools that

have closed can begin procedures to reopen. Students or staff sick with a suspected or confirmed

case of H1N1 should stay home for seven days, even if symptoms subside sooner than that. If

someone is sick longer than seven days, that person should stay home for 24 hours after

symptoms subside.

This guidance is based on the understanding of the current situation. It is important to check the

CDC Web site (http://www.cdc.gov) daily to check for updated guidance during this ongoing

situation.

Schools should continue developing relationships with their health departments and consider

implementing systems to track and potentially follow up on students who are absent from school

to determine if absences illness-related. These systems can sometimes provide a clue to school

and health officials that there may be high rates of illness in a community. These systems are

important not just for this specific situation, but for other outbreaks as well.

Flu symptoms include acute respiratory illness, such as fever greater than 37.8oC or 100oF, plus

cough or sore throat. Other possible symptoms are runny nose, feeling very lethargic, loss of

appetite, and in some cases, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Most cases in the U.S. have

recovered, but at least one death has occurred.

States and local educational agencies can also use this opportunity to identify their authorities for

school closures if they do not already know them. Accordingly, local educational agencies, non-

public schools, and institutions of higher education (IHEs) should consult their state's pandemic

influenza plan for more information about these authorities, state-level planning, and coordination.

Information about state pandemic planning efforts can be found at:

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/index.html.

If students are dismissed from schools or day care centers, schools should cancel all school-

related gatherings and encourage parents and students to avoid gathering outside of school,

including at malls, movies theaters, public libraries or friends’ houses in large groups.

Q: Should colleges and universities close if there is a suspected or confirmed case on

campus?

A: The CDC does not recommend widespread school closure at this time. However, institutions

of higher education (IHEs) should consult their all-hazards plans for decisions about how to

protect student health and safety. State-run IHEs should consult their state pandemic influenza

plans, which are posted at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/index.html. The American

College Health Association has also created guidance on pandemic planning.

Q: We have students or staff in Mexico now, or who have been there recently. Should we

send them home?

A: There is no reason to exclude anyone from school merely because he or she has recently

visited Mexico. If, however, an individual shows symptoms of influenza (fever above 37.8oC or

100oF, accompanied by cough or sore throat), they should stay home for 7 days, or 24 hours

after symptoms subside, if longer than seven days. See below for more information about

exposure to Mexico.

U.S. Department of Education