This is a press release courtesy Eugene School District 4J

Superintendent George Russell, in discussion and collaboration with public health officials, has decided to temporarily close the three schools as a precautionary measure. Kelly Middle School, Harris/Eastside Elementary School, and Charlemagne French Immersion School at Fox Hollow will be closed on Tuesday, May 5, to allow public health officials to investigate whether any transmission of possible H1N1 is likely. While the schools are closed, facilities crews will thoroughly sanitize the school buildings. Families are being notified using the school district’s phone autodialer. All other 4J schools will remain open on Tuesday.

Because H1N1 influenza appears to spread from person to person, during this period, students and staff should avoid large gatherings of people. These include unnecessary trips to locations such as shopping malls, movie theaters, or community centers. One option suggested by the Centers for Disease Control is for families to trade childcare, working together with two to three other families to supervise and provide care for a small and consistent group of children.

If any student or staff member from one of these three schools develops true flu symptoms, including a measured fever over 100°F, public health officials want to know. They should call the principal at their school to report their symptoms and contact their healthcare provider for treatment. Other symptoms suggestive of influenza include fever, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat and body aches. Intestinal symptoms are less commonly associated with this H1N1 influenza.

BACKGROUND:

In the past few days, several suspected and probable cases of 2009 Influenza A H1N1 ("swine flu") have been identified in Lane County. This afternoon the Oregon Public Health Division confirmed H1N1 in some of the probable cases, including a staff member at Kelly Middle School. Eugene School District 4J also is aware of a probable H1N1 case in a student at Harris/Eastside Elementary School, as well as a student from Charlemagne at Fox Hollow who has flu symptoms and has been in contact with one of the Lane County individuals with a confirmed case of H1N1.

District administrators will continue to consult with public health officials on Tuesday to determine whether the closure will continue on the following day. If one or more of the school closures is extended beyond the initial single day, families will again be notified by autodialer, the district website, and local media.

Refresher lessons about effective handwashing techniques have been a focus at schools, and students and families at home should continue to emphasize the simple prevention steps recommended by public health officials: wash hands frequently and vigorously for at least 20 seconds, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and stay home if ill. These recommendations also are very important for students and families from other schools. Flu spreads easily, so it is very important that students do not come to other 4J schools if they have flu-like symptoms.

Eugene School District 4J is continuing to work to keep all 4J families informed about the H1N1 flu situation. The health and well-being of our students is our top priority and our district has been taking precautionary steps to limit the spread of H1N1 flu and other illnesses such as seasonal flu.