With fears about the H1N1 virus, commonly known as “swine flu,” putting school leaders on high alert, we’ve compiled this collection of news stories and additional resources to keep you up to date on the latest developments in this critical story—and to help you deal with the crisis in your own schools.
–The Editors
eSchool News Articles
Feds issue more guidance on swine flu »
Schools and colleges should be ready with hard-copy packets and online lessons to keep learning going even if swine flu sickens large numbers of students this year, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said Aug. 24. Key words: swine flu and schools, H1N1, flu virus, swine flu preparedness, college and swine flu, K-12 and swine flu, educational technology...Read More »
WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun »
The World Health Organization told its member nations it was declaring a swine flu pandemic on June 11--the first global flu epidemic in 41 years--as infections climbed in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America, and elsewhere. Key words: swine flu, swine flu school closings, school flu preparedness...Read More »
Assistant principal is first NYC swine flu death »
A school assistant principal who was sick for several days with swine flu on May 17 became the city's first death linked to the virus and the nation's sixth. Key words: swine flu, school closings, school pandemic preparedness...Read More »
Feds reverse course on flu-related school closings »
Easing recommendations that have closed scores of schools nationwide, federal health authorities said May 5 that the new swine flu spreading across America is too mild to warrant continued closures, reports the Sacramento Bee. ...Read More »
Closing schools might not stop flu transmission »
Students aren't the only ones staying home as swine flu spreads through schools across the country. Parents are nursing their ailing kids while trying not to get sick themselves--and the decision to close schools can have repercussions that are felt throughout a community. Key words: school swine flu, swine flu transmission, school closings...Read More »
Advice for schools on swine flu »
President Barack Obama on April 29 said schools should close temporarily if any students have confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu. He was reiterating guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Education Department. Key words: swine flu schools, school health closings, swine flu procedure...Read More »
Obama warns of more school closings »
As worries of a possible pandemic intensified April 29 amid reports of the first death in the United States from swine flu, President Obama said school leaders should consider closing their schools temporarily if they think any of their students might be infected--and he urged parents to prepare for this contingency as well. Key words: school swine flu closure, school health, swine flu, school safety...Read More »
Hundreds sick at NYC school hit by virus »
The global swine flu outbreak worsened April 28 as authorities said hundreds of students at a New York school have fallen ill and federal officials confirmed the first U.S. death from the virus. Key words: school swine flu, student health, school safety, swine flu...Read More »
Universities mobilize against pandemic threat »
University-based research that helped authorities understand avian flu in 2006 could help mitigate the spread of swine flu in the United States, and higher-education officials are crediting the Centers for Disease Control for using social-networking tools to spread a message of caution. Key words: swine flu, avian flu, Centers for Disease Control, University of California, pandemic, university research, education, technology...Read More »
What you need to know about swine flu »
A never-before-seen strain of swine flu has turned deadly in Mexico and is causing milder illness in the United States and elsewhere. While authorities say it's not time to panic, they are taking steps to stem the spread and also urging people to pay close attention to the latest health warnings and take their own precautions. Key words: swine flu, school emergency preparedness, school health and safety...Read More »
Additional Resources
Flu.gov K-12 and Higher Education Flu Guidance
http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/index.html
eSN SAFE Center Resources: Pandemics
http://www.eschoolnews.com/safe-center/emergencies/pandemics/?d=emergencies
Federal government's pandemic preparation page
http://www.pandemicflu.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: H1N1 Flu
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
Government video on Pandemic Flu
http://www.eschoolnews.com/safe-center/safe-news/index.cfm?i=58496
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/en
