H1N1 Influenza Update

The Marin County Office of Education is in close contact with the Marin County Department of Public Health and other agencies to provide information about swine flu to our school districts, parents and the community. In turn, the County Health Department is working closely with the California Department of Public Health and the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor developments in California, nationally and internationally.

Below are some of the most current and informative links about the topic. These sites are updated periodically. We will add additional links if more information becomes available.

Educators and school staff click here for the Marin County Schools Flu Prevention Toolkit.

Click here for Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Frequently Asked Questions.

Here are some facts:

· H1N1 influenza is a respiratory (breathing) infection caused by influenza viruses found in pigs. It is a new influenza virus causing illness in humans.

· Symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Please see your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms. Most illnesses in the United States have been mild.

· H1N1 flu is spread person to person through coughing and sneezing from infected people. It cannot be transmitted by eating pork or pork products.

The most effective precautions for you and your family to take are the following:

· If you are sick, stay home from school or work to avoid contact with other people and risk infecting them. Stay home until 24 hours after symptoms have subsided without the use of fever-reducing medications.

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

· Avoid close contact with sick people.

· Get an H1N1 Flu vaccination. Free H1N1 flu vaccinations are now available to everyone. Click here for schedule and details.

Please refer to the following primary resources below for the latest information on H1N1 Influenza:

· Marin County Office of Education

Letter from Superintendent of Schools to Parents/Guardians (English)

Letter from Superintendent of Schools to Parents/Guardians (Spanish)

Online Learning Resources

· Marin County Health and Human Services

Marin Influenza Information