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AFT Monitors Swine Flu Emergency
The AFT is tracking news of a highly dynamic swine influenza type A (H1N1) outbreak in Mexico, the U.S. and now Canada for its implications in preventing the spread in schools. We are assessing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and public health departments to keep you informed of changes.
On Sunday, April 26, 2009, the acting secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for swine flu. The declaration allows HHS to prepare and mobilize in the event that the outbreak grows to the level of an epidemic in the U.S.
In the U.S., new cases include a cluster identified in a New York City school among students who recently visited Mexico (28 cases as of April 27); two 16-year-old boys in San Antonio, Texas, who attended the same school; and a father and daughter from San Diego County. Another case occurred in a patient from Imperial County, which borders San Diego County. Both California counties are home to the first two swine flu patients that the CDC announced on April 21. Two cases have since been reported in Kansas, four more in Texas, 17 additional cases in New York City, another in Ohio and additional cases in California. As of April 28, the CDC had identified 64 cases. The number of cases is expected to rise as more suspected influenza cases are tested for the virus (H1N1).
Swine flu ordinarily is not transmitted easily from human to human, but the rapid spread in Mexico and the U.S. clusters led Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conclude that the virus is easily spread human to human.
The new swine type A (H1N1) influenza is considered an outbreak. It has not become an epidemic or pandemic influenza. This episode may subside or it may grow. There is a great deal of uncertainty and we'll have to monitor it. In this uncertain environment, we want to reassure members and avoid general panic. At the same time, we should closely monitor school districts to make sure that they mount an adequate response.
School Policy
The AFT especially encourages leaders in states with a confirmed case to contact their school or college districts and ascertain if the employer's policy and response to this outbreak are sufficient.
Policies should:
- clearly communicate good practice to all staff, students and parents;
- actively exclude sick staff and children from school and communicate that to the school community;
- create a process to quickly refer children with acute respiratory symptoms to the nurse for assessment and
possible isolation;
- provide additional support to teach and encourage hand hygiene (soap and water, opportunities to wash
hands and alcohol gel);
- address the status of employees if the system closes; and
- provide for appropriate cleaning of all classrooms, cafeterias and lunchrooms, bathrooms, gymnasiums and
other common areas.
Other steps the union can take include:
- monitoring the status of running water, soap and towels in bathrooms;
- monitoring ventilation and working with the district to increase ventilation either by opening windows or
increasing outside air in mechanical systems.
- AFT leaders may also want to contact the local health department to find out how the health department is
working with the district and what resources it will make available to the district to cope with a potential
outbreak.
The AFT health and safety program has posted a fact sheet which we have attached for you to review.
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Synopsis:
What Is the new Swine Flu?
Ordinary swine influenza is a respiratory infection caused by type A influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks among pigs. People do not normally contract swine flu. This novel swine flu Type A virus (H1N1), however, appears to be a combination of pig, avian and human Type A influenza viruses. There is no vaccine that has been prepared for the virus.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the new swine flu are like those of seasonal human flu including fever, upper respiratory symptoms, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Unlike seasonal flu, however, some patients have experienced nausea and gastro-intestinal symptoms (cramping, diarrhea). Although the cases in Mexico appear to be severe, the recently identified cases in the U.S. have been mild.
High-Risk Groups
Seasonal influenza is generally a challenge for the very young and the old. These groups have higher rates of complications, such as pneumonia. The new swine influenza, however, appears to disproportionately attack young adults. The CDC has not yet identified persons at high risk in the U.S. for complications of swine influenza A (H1N1).
Transmission
Human-to-human spread occurs in the same manner as seasonal influenza. Influenza is spread through the droplets and aerosols created by coughing or sneezing. The virus can also survive on objects (moist tissues) and surfaces for up to eight hours. People may become infected by touching contaminated objects and then inadvertently touching their mouths or noses.
Infectious Period
An infected person may be infectious one day before symptoms begin and up to seven days after the onset of the illness. Persons in close contact (six feet) with a suspected or confirmed case are known to be at high risk of infection. However, some investigators believe that the virus can travel much farther in the aerosols of sneezes or coughs.
Treatment
There is currently no vaccine for the new swine influenza. The CDC believes that two antiviral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective against the new virus. However, these drugs must be administered early on in the course of the illness to be effective. Treatment is recommended for five days. The CDC also recommends a similar treatment regimen (seven days) for the following nonsymptomatic individuals who are at high risk for complications of influenza (chronic medical conditions):
- household close contacts of suspected or confirmed cases;
- schoolchildren at high risk for complications of influenza who had face-to-face contact with a confirmed or
suspected case;
- travelers to Mexico; and
- border workers.
CDC also recommends that healthcare workers or public health workers (including school nurses) who had unprotected close contact with confirmed cases of swine influenza A during a patient’s infectious disease period be offered this preventive treatment. Healthcare workers in the area with confirmed cases who work with patients with any acute respiratory illness may also consider treatment.
Very little is known about the effect of these drugs on the embryo or fetus of a pregnant woman. Therefore, the CDC recommends that a pregnant woman and her physician carefully weigh the benefits of taking these drugs before considering a regimen.
Prevention of Transmission in a School Setting
Much like ordinary influenza, prevention of transmission includes:
- Encouraging staff and children to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing.
- Washing hands with soap and water, especially after a sneeze or cough.
- Using alcohol-based hand cleaners when hand washing is not feasible.
- Reinforcing good practices among the school community beyond hand hygiene such as avoiding touching the face, eyes, nose and mouth (this will reduce the chances of infection).
- Posters around school as well as active reminders to students and staff.
- Cleaning surfaces and appropriate disposal of used tissues to assure that no one has direct contact with them.
- Urging staff and students who have acute respiratory illnesses to stay at home; restricting children and staff with acute illnesses from school.
- Sending children with symptoms to the school nurse for assessment and isolation of sick children who are waiting for parents to pick them up (they should not be in the general office or returned to the classroom).
- Increasing ventilation in the school by opening windows or running a mechanical ventilation system with the maximum outside air.
Any questions contact Howard Weshnak, KUAFF's Health & Safety Officer at (hweshnak@kean.edu) , AFT National, or, Kean University's Associate Director of Environmental Health & Safety, David Fernandez at(Dfernand@kean.edu) .
Respectfully,
Dr. Kathleen Mary Henderson
President, KUAFF (AFT Local 6024)
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