May 1, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I’d like to take this opportunity to update you on the school department’s response to the H1N1influenze (swine flu). We have been working closely with Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron and our local South Portland Emergency Management team. Commissioner Gendron continues to coordinate efforts with Dr. Dora Anne Mills at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to provide guidance to all Maine schools.

As I write this, there have been no confirmed cases in Cumberland County but public health officials are monitoring the situation carefully. We are being kept advised of new developments by the Maine Department of Education and Maine CDC.

In the event that the Maine CDC becomes aware of a confirmed or probable case of swine flu in a public school student or staff member, the information we have today is that Maine CDC will contact the superintendent of the school in order to close the school and send students and staff home. If a sibling of the affected student is in another school, that school should also be closed. Dr. Mills will provide guidance on how long the school will remain closed and provide other support. At this time, public health officials are recommending that schools close for seven calendar days. The Commissioner indicated that the days will not have to be made up at the end of the school year.

In the event of school closure, the Superintendent’s Office will remain available and open for the dissemination of information.

In South Portland, we have activated our pandemic flu plan. Attached is public health information regarding the influenza virus. You may also stay informed about developments through the U.S. CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov or you can call the Maine Center for Disease Control at 1-888-257-0900. Links to websites and updates are also posted on the City website, www.southportland.org.

As we continue to stay informed of new developments and follow resulting guidance, we will provide updates as necessary.

Sincerely,

Suzanne T. Godin,
Superintendent of Schools

PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION REGARDING INFLUENZA VIRUS

The National Center for Disease Control has released the following information about the H1N1 strain of influenza virus. This strain of flu is a genetic combination of avian, swine and regular human influenza. It has become known as simply the Swine Flu. At present there is no inoculation to prevent this particular strain. The flu does respond however, to antiviral medications, and there are abundant treatment resources in the United States. The flu is contagious, and transmitted through person to person contact. We offer the following precautions to help reduce transmission of the virus.

• WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY WITH SOAP AND WATER, OR USE AN ALCOHOL BASED SANITIZER

• COUGH AND SNEEZE INTO YOUR ELBOW OPPOSED TO INTO YOUR HAND.

• AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE AND MOUTH.

• AVOID CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK.

• STAY AT HOME FROM WORK, SCHOOL OR ERRANDS WHEN YOU ARE SICK.

• PRACTICE GOOD HEALTH HABITS: GET PLENTY OF REST, EAT NUTRITIOUS FOOD, AND DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS.

• IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU, SUCH AS RESPIRATORY, FEVER AND BODY ACHES, CALL YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN VIA TELEPHONE FOR GUIDANCE.

• IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY TRAVELED TO AN AREA WITH AN ACTIVE OUTBREAK OF THE FLU, PLEASE MONITOR YOUR HEATH CAREFULLY FOR SEVEN DAYS. IF SYMPTOMS APPEAR, CONTACT YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN VIA TELEPHONE.

For more information, guidelines and prevention tips, please visit www.cdc.gov or you can call the Maine Center for Disease Control at 1-888-257-0990 during business hours, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.