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pandemic information
H1N1 (Swine) Flu
H1N1 Update--On
October 14, the school district was notified of
two test-confirmed cases of H1N1 at Bethel Park
High School. There have also been several students throughout
the district who have exhibited flu-like
symptoms and have been diagnosed by their
doctors as having H1N1 or H1N1-like symptoms,
but their conditions were not officially
confirmed via laboratory testing. Please click
here to
read a letter to all Bethel Park families from
Dr. Knight, that outlines what parents can do to
help keep their children from getting/spreading
H1N1 or other viruses. If you or any
member of your family experience flu-like
symptoms, you are encouraged to contact your
family physician. As always, the best
defense against communicable disease is proper
hand washing. We ask parents to keep their children
home if they are exhibiting symptoms or do not feel well. Please
click here to
learn more about H1N1/Flu Tips.
Here are the Bethel Park Schools which have
CONFIRMED cases of H1N1:
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Bethel Park High School
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Neil Armstrong Middle School
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Franklin Elementary School
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Lincoln Elementary School
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Memorial Elementary School
ALL Bethel Park Schools have students or staff
who are experiencing flu-like symptoms and/or
have been diagnosed as having the flu by their
doctors, without confirmed laboratory testing.
The Allegheny County Health Department is
offering free H1N1 vaccines to all
students in Allegheny County on Saturday,
November 21 from 10 AM to 4 PM at Chartiers
Valley High School, McKeesport High School,
North Allegheny High School and the former
Reizenstein Middle School (now Schenley High
School). All students must be accompanied
by an adult. No appointment is necessary.
The vaccine will be distributed on a first-come,
first-served basis. No additional mass
immunization clinic is planned at this time.
Additional vaccination opportunities will be
planned based on demand and vaccine
availability. For more information, please
call 412-687-ACHD (412-687-2243).
Please click
here to
learn about action steps parents can take should
their child contract the flu.
We
encourage you to visit
www.h1n1inpa.com
This website, created by the
State, will provide you with valuable
information about the status of the flu, what
the State is doing to prepare for a possible
outbreak, and what you can do to prepare
yourself and your family as well.
Here
are some tips you can use/talk to your child
about to avoid contracting the swine flu:
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Emphasize frequent hand washing;
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Stress the importance of covering coughs and
sneezes in one's sleeves, not hands;
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Keep hands away from eyes, nose and mouth;
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Use tissues and dispose of them after each
use;
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Keep children and adults who are ill at home
until symptoms subside;
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Get flu shots
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control
offers this advice:
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People who are sick should stay home until
at least 24 hours after their fever ends,
even if you are using antiviral drugs.
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Students and staff who become sick while in
school should be separated in a clean, safe
room and given protective gear such as a
mask until they can go home. Those who
are caring for ill students and staff should
wear protective gear, such as face masks.
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Only schools with large numbers of students
who are especially at risk of illness, such
as students who are pregnant or who have
conditions such as muscular dystrophy or
cerebral palsy, might want to close.
-
Students and staff with high risk conditions
such as diabetes and asthma should seek
medical care immediately if they get a fever
accompanied by coughs.
We
will continue to update this site with
additional information as it becomes available.
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