Pandemic Flu Information
The flu has become a focus recently in the news, especially the Bird Flu. The Riverview School District, along with the Health Department, is working on an overall district pandemic flu plan. Part of this plan will be to keep you informed about the flu and emergency information if it should develop in our area. We will also be continuing to educate our students and staff on disease prevention. At the bottom of this page there are up-to-date links to current information.
Influenza virus (flu) affects the nose, throat and lungs. It occurs annually, usually in winter. The symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain. The flu virus is spread from person to person by droplets from the nose or mouth, such as with coughing or sneezing.
The Bird Flu is a new influenza virus that originated from bird influenza commonly found in ducks and chickens in Asia. At this time, the virus has not developed the ability to pass easily from person to person. Influenza viruses are common and we deal with them every winter. We know that we will need to be more careful to observe prevention techniques to stay healthy if the bird flu should develop into a spreadable virus. In the event of an outbreak, there is the possibility a school could be closed or in the worst case, all schools in our area could be closed for a time.
A Pandemic is when a new disease like the bird flu spreads among the populations around the world. This new disease could cause serious illness and could spread easily to different countries because of the lack of immunity to it. (click to see phases of Influenza Pandemic*)
How you can prevent the flu? The King County Health Department advises you follow the two simple principles. (See links below for mor complete information)
Keep your germs to yourself:
- Cover your nose & mouth with a tissue when sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose (or cover sneeze with your elbow).
- Throw out used tissues in the trash as soon as you can.
- Always wash your hands after sneezing, blowing your nose, or coughing, or after touching used tissues or handkerchiefs.
- Wash hands with warm water & soap - or with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Wash hands often if you are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick, especially if you have a cough & fever.
- See your doctor as soon as you can if you have a cough & fever, and follow their instructions. Take medications as prescribed & get lots of rest.
Keep the virus germs away from you:
- Wash your hands before eating or touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Wash your hands after touching anyone else who is sneezing, coughing, blowing their nose or whose nose is running.
- Don't share things like cigarettes, towels, lipstick, toys or anything else that might be contaminated with respiratory germs.
- Don't share food, utensils or beverage containers with others.
Helpful links for more information:
General Information:
King County Health Department - influenza and pandemic information site. Lots of common questions and the answers.
www.metrokc.gov/HEALTH/prevcont/pandemic-flu.htm
Washington State Department of Health pandemic influenza site. Many links to resources and several questions and answers. Discusses the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic.
www.doh.wa.gov/panflu/qna.htm
Superintendent of Public Instruction has pandemic flu information on their web site.
www.k12.wa.us/HealthServices/PandemicFluInformation.aspx
Pandemic Flu Updates:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's avian influenza information site has updates on the current situation, current facts, resource information and links to other informational sites.
www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm
Comparing Seasonal Flu vs Bird Flu:
US Department of Health & Human Services comparison of normal flu versus pandemic flu.
www.pandemicflu.gov/season_or_pandemic.html
Prevention:
Washington State Department of Health handouts on how to prevent the spread of respiratory germs such as flu and cold germs.
"Preventing the Spread of Germs" (in pdf format)
American Society of Microbiology has a fun website on hand washing to stay health.
www.microbe.org/washup/wash_up.asp
Preparation :
US Department of Health & Human Services checklist for families on planning for the pandemic. Things you can do to help make sure your family is ready for the pandemic as well as any emergency that might affect your normal activities.
www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html
US Department of Health & Human Services chart for keeping emergency health information about members of your family. In case of an emergency, you will have the health information handy.
www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/familyhealthinfo.html
Washington State Department of Health list of what to do to get ready for the pandemic. Focuses on how to prepare your home in case you become ill and can not get to a store or need to stay at home to protect yourself from exposure to the virus.
www.doh.wa.gov/panflu/prepare.htm
*Thank-you to the Bellevue School District for permission to use information on Bird Flu from their web site.