This letter from Dr. Roberts will come home via backpack mail today as well . . .
May 1, 2009
Dear Ann Arbor Public School Parent and/or Guardian,
As the H1N1 Virus (known also as the Swine Flu) continues to be diagnosed throughout the United States there have been some concerns raised about students who may have recently traveled to Mexico.
We would like to emphasize that the Ann Arbor Public School district is working closely with the Washtenaw County Department of Public Health as well as advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Education. The district’s professional nurses are tracking and monitoring closely in the schools any students or staff with flu-like symptoms. As well, local medical professionals are following the protocols issued by the CDC and Public Health in reporting and examining people who come to them for their care.
The Washtenaw County Department of Public Health Department, the CDC or the Department of Education do not recommend that people who have traveled from Mexico be excluded from school unless they show symptoms of the flu. We are following the recommendation of the Washtenaw County Department of Public Health regarding the H1N1 virus.
We understand that enhanced media attention as well as the real medical concerns that have come with some of the confirmed cases in Mexico that there is a heightened alert about this flu. The Washtenaw County Department of Public Health has advised us that the most important steps to take are related to prevention.
• Stay home from work or school if you have a respiratory illness
• Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze by using a tissue or your sleeve/elbow. Dispose of the tissue promptly and carefully.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water. Alcohol based hand gels are also effective when used according to manufacturers’ instructions.
• Contact your physician if you are experiencing severe symptoms including cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, chills, headaches, body aches possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting.
We will continue to update district families on any new information or updates we receive from the Washtenaw County Department of Public Health.
If you have concerns please contact your school principal or me.
Sincerely,
Todd Roberts
Superintendent
