Things to Know About H1N1

Miami County Health Department Vaccine Clinic

Miami County Health Department is giving H1N1 vaccines free of charge on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m.-12 noon and 1-4 p.m. Any Kansas resident who meets the following criteria are eligible for the vaccine:

• Children 6 mo-9 years

• Children 9 years-18 years with a chronic health condition

• Health care workers in direct patient care areas

• Pregnant women

• People caring for infants under 6 months of age

For more information, visit Miami County Health Department's web site.

>> Read the Letter from the Superintendent*

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an outbreak of the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus continues to expand in the United States, including in Kansas. H1N1, or swine flu, is a respiratory disease normally found in swine, but the new strain can spread between humans.

As of May 5th, the CDC along with the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is no longer recommending school closures for suspected or confirmed cases. School district officials will continue to monitor guidance and recommendations, and make changes to procedures as needed. However, at this time, there are no cases of H1N1 within school district boundaries.

As the health and well being of students is the top priority, the school district has increased its cleaning procedures to ensure the health and safety of students and staff. The district’s custodial staff is fully trained on the proper use of anti-viral cleaning products, and follow those procedures daily.

Help from parents is critical to keep all students healthy. Please keep your child home if they have a fever or respiratory symptoms. The symptoms of swine flu are the same as for influenza: fever over 100 degrees, headache, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. Call your doctor for testing and treatment if you think you have these symptoms.

Students, employees and families are encouraged to follow basic prevention steps:

• Frequent, thorough hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds. Keep in mind, hand washing is the key to prevention and transmission of influenza.

• Cough or sneeze into the crook of the arm or a tissue

• Stay at home or keep children home if there are influenza-like symptoms

For more information, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's (KDHE) web site. Additional information can be found on the CDC's web site.