Recommendations for Preventing the Spread
of Pandemic Influenza in the Schools

The guidelines below are general infection control measures aimed toward preventing the spread of infection in the workplace.  Additional guidance from management may be necessary based on the situation. 

Infection control in these settings should focus on keeping workers away while they are infectious and promoting respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and
hand hygiene, as with any respiratory infection. 

• Excuse student, faculty and other staff from their duties if they develop symptoms

• Develop a plan to allow for coverage when faculty and staff must be home

• Provide training for students, faculty, parents and staff on influenza, including:  routes of transmission; signs and symptoms; treatment; and infection control strategies (hand washing, respiratory/cough etiquette).

• Consider rescheduling extracurricular activities (e.g., sports events, plays, dances, PTA meetings) during pandemic

• Consider rescheduling field trips

• If absenteeism is high in certain classes, consider combining classes to limit exposure to/from substitute staff

• Ensure that hand washing supplies are available and, if possible, an alcohol-based hand rub

• Have tissues and trash receptacles available in classrooms

• Use an EPA-registered disinfectant to clean environmental surfaces

• Review cleaning procedures with housekeeping staff

Communicate information

• Notify the local health department if pandemic flu is expected or the absentee rate is higher than normal for respiratory infections during a pandemic period

• Notify families via letter, e-mail, etc., of status and reinforce prevention strategies

• Post visual alerts on doors advising visitors to not enter a building if ill or report to the office if they exhibit symptoms of respiratory illness

Taken from the Virginia Department of Health Emergency Operations Plan:  Pandemic Influenza.
Available at www.vdh.virginia.gov.