NEW: PARENT LETTER - H1N1 Update - October 27, 2009
          

Ventura County Public Health H1N1 Hotline: 981-5390 

October, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians;

Like other school districts, we in Moorpark Unified School District (MUSD), are experiencing student absences due to flu-like illness including confirmed cases of H1N1 (Swine Flu).  While we know that this is a concern,  public health authorities tell us that the H1N1 viral influenza can vary in severity from mild to severe.  For example, those with chronic medical conditions are more at risk.  Since it is a new viral strain, most people don’t have any immunity to it.  Consequently, we will see people getting sick from this virus.

MUSD is following the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidelines for flu prevention which are to keep people who are sick with flu like symptoms home until they are fever free for 24 hours.  At school, we are having students wash and sanitize their hands on a regular basis and cover their mouths when they cough.  We are also following CDC guidelines for regular cleansing of areas that students and staff touch often.

If your child shows signs of flu like illness such as a fever of over 100, cough, muscle aches, nausea and /or vomiting please notify us at school and keep your child at home until fever free (without any fever lowering medications) for 24 hours.  However, do not refrain from giving your child fever lowering medications during the course of an illness.  

CDC recommends that you get medical care right away if the sick person: has difficulty breathing or chest pain has purple or blue discoloration of the lips is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions) is less responsive than normal or becomes confused

If you have other questions, please see our website http://www.mrpk.org/instruction/HealthandWellness for more information about Flu Prevention and links to other websites.   Our School Health Specialists can be reached for further consultation:  Kathy Lane and Susan van Ouwerkerk   805.531.6481

Thank you in advance for helping us with prevention efforts to keep our students healthy and learning.

Sincerely,

Ellen Smith
District Superintendent