Dear Kent School Parent or Guardian,
As the H1N1 influenza virus pandemic continues to evolve, Kent is beginning to see a few cases which have been promptly identified and treated, with students being isolated in the Health Center or sent home. All cases have been mild with recovery taking less than a week.
We are prepared for an increase in flu and flu-like illness over the next several weeks.
Protecting all members of our community remains a priority and we must remind everyone of the importance of a few requirements that need to be followed over the next several weeks, especially with the approaching Thanksgiving recess. As stated in our letter to the community dated September 3, 2009, the School has established the following policy for anyone coming to campus.
Our Health Center continues to work closely with officials of the state and local department of health in an effort to obtain H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Please contact any of us via email or phone should you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Richardson W. Schell
Headmaster & Rector
Joel A. Danisi, M.D.
Medical Director
Lori V. Braislin, R.N.
Health Services Coordinator
Dear KENT School Community,
The emergence of the H1N1 influenza virus known as “swine flu” in the spring has now become a worldwide pandemic. Kent School has responded to the pandemic with a balance of caution and diligence, relying on the public health policies and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other medical authorities to develop a policy for the 2009-10 school year.
As the H1N1 pandemic evolves during the academic year, Kent will follow the recommendations of the above-mentioned health authorities to adapt to a changing situation. Our approach is consistent with that of other boarding schools and colleges with which we are in frequent communication.
In order to protect our community, the School has established the following policy for anyone coming to the campus:
• If you are currently diagnosed with the flu, or have flu-like symptoms (fever AND one or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, nasal congestion or sore throat), please do not come to campus until 24 hours after your fever has resolved.
• If you have been recently exposed to someone diagnosed with flu, or someone who has flu-like symptoms as listed above, please do not come to campus for 7 days after your exposure.
Please follow the personal precautions to protect against the flu as recommended by the CDC:
Sanitize
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizers with 60% alcohol content.
Avoid
To decrease the chance that others may become ill, if you have flu-like symptoms, reduce unnecessary social contacts, stay away from crowds, and avoid other people.
Be Alert
H1N1 flu symptoms are similar to seasonal flu: fever, body aches, sore throat, cough, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. If you do not feel well seek medical attention.
Kent School will offer and administer seasonal influenza vaccine as soon as it is available in September. A vaccine for H1N1 influenza is currently in production and should be available this fall season. The CDC and DPH are currently planning the distribution of H1N1 vaccine. The School will offer and administer the H1N1 vaccine to all students, faculty and staff when it becomes available. H1N1 vaccine is currently a two-dose vaccine administered several weeks apart. It is recommended for all children and young adults (age 6 months to 24 years).
The CDC is currently suggesting that most schools will not need to close if they experience an outbreak of H1N1 influenza. Kent School will remain open if a small number of H1N1 influenza cases occur. The CDC currently recommends consideration of school closure if severe illness or overwhelming numbers of cases occur.
If a Kent student contracts the H1N1 virus, or displays flu-like symptoms, he or she will be isolated in the Health Center for the CDC-recommended period of time and treatment with anti-viral medication will be offered as recommended by the CDC. Parents of a student with flu-like symptoms who live within driving distance of the School will have the option and will be encouraged to take their child home for the CDC-recommended period of time.
We will continue to monitor the information available from health authorities as the academic year progresses and adjust the policy according to recommendations.
To learn about the H1N1 influenza virus and recommendations please refer to the following resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Pediatrics
Thank you for your attention to this important information. If you have further questions, please contact the Kent School Health Center (860-927-6209) or danisij@kent-school.edu
Sincerely,
Richardson W. Schell
Headmaster & Rector
Joel A. Danisi, M.D.
Medical Director
Lori V. Braislin, R.N.
Health Services Coordinator
If you have questions about this H1N1 information, please click here to contact the KENT School Health Center.
