Federal officials today released their recommendations for how schools should deal with outbreaks of the H1N1 flu virus.
Also, during a news conference to announce the guidelines, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the government expects to have a vaccine ready by mid-October.
If the fall resurgence of H1N1 is no more severe than the outbreak this past spring, then federal officials recommend that schools encourage basic hygiene and tell infected students or school workers to stay home until at least 24 hours after their symptoms have ceased.
The guidelines also call for schools to have plans to deal with possible infection, including preparing separate rooms to which infected students are sent until they can go home. School officials also should have plans for someone to step in should school nurses or other key personnel become sick.
Should outbreaks become more severe, then schools should be prepared to step up the response by having parents check their children each day for evidence of symptoms before leaving for school and by also screening the students daily once they arrive at school.
Also, if any family member becomes ill, then students should stay home for five days.
Officials said schools should not be closed without careful weighing of other considerations such as disruption of learning and the broader community.
For more information visit www.flu.gov.