Pandemic Flu Planning
What is pandemic flu? Pandemic flu is a rare but recurring event that is much more virulent and widespread than the usual seasonal flu. It can occur during any time of the year, not just when seasonal flu is expected. No one can predict when the next pandemic flu outbreak will occur, but many public health officials worldwide concur that we are overdue. A pandemic influenza is an outbreak of a new flu virus to which people have no immunity and for which there is no vaccine, occurring on multiple continents at the same time.
How would pandemic influenza impact schools? When a pandemic hits the United States, as many as four in 10 school-age children would become sick, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Many teachers and staff members would also be ill or need to care for ill family members and not be able to report to work. The effects on our schools could be staggering. In some cases, schools may be required to close for an extended period of time.
• Additional resources at our H1N1 Swine Flu page
School Planning and Preparation
It is important for schools to begin planning for the possibility of a pandemic influenza outbreak. Working closely with a variety of resources within the district when developing a plan helps to assure staff, families and the community that the district is following good protocol and meets expected standards of preparedness. The makeup of a school district’s resource team may vary, but should include building administrators, school nurses, and staff from human resources, business office, prevention/intervention, building maintenance, food services, and safety/risk management when possible.
The local health jurisdiction is another essential partner in developing an effective plan for prevention, response and ongoing communication. Health jurisdictions also help to monitor and respond to actual outbreaks of illness and determine if and when a school should close because of an outbreak. Local health officers have the authority to require school closure if they believe the action is necessary to control or eliminate the spread of an infectious disease. This could be the case during a pandemic flu; however, the health officer would first consult with the school superintendent prior to taking this action per WAC 246-110-020.
Key Messages for Schools
All influenza viruses are spread through the air when people with the virus cough or sneeze. Touching contaminated surfaces also spread viruses. Schools can promote year-round, routine preventive measures for staff, students and families that help to reduce the spread of any influenza or germs:
• Cover nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing and have tissues readily available. Make sure tissues are available in all classrooms, common areas and school buses. Dispose of used tissues in appropriate waste receptacles. If hands become contaminated with respiratory secretions while coughing or sneezing, perform proper hand hygiene as soon as possible.
• Frequent and effective handwashing with soap and water will help protect students and staff from viruses. Work with each school’s janitorial staff to ensure that restrooms are stocked with soap and paper towels or working hand dryers.
• Alcohol-based hand rubs should be at every front office desk with tissues and a waste receptacles to quickly dispose of the tissue. Hand cleansers should contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective.
• Encourage sick students and staff to stay home. Sick students and staff should stay home from school until they are without fever for 24 hours to help prevent spreading illness to others.
• Encourage staff and families to inquire about getting a flu shot. Each year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sends medical providers a list of people who are at high risk for complications from the flu and should receive a flu shot. In most cases, anyone who wants a flu shot can get one.
• Staff and janitorial teams should wipe down any surfaces that may have been contaminated by saliva or other respiratory secretions. Use a household disinfectant labeled for activity against bacteria and viruses, an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, or mix and use 1/4 cup chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of cool water.
School Checklist
Checklists and resources have been developed to help guide schools in the process of developing a pandemic flu plan. Four of these include:
• School District (K-12) Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The site also contains planning checklists, guides, and forms for preschools, colleges, individuals, and families.
• School Pandemic Flu Planning Tool from Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department. This site contains many other helpful resources.
• King County Public Health Pandemic Flu resources for schools
• Clark County Pandemic Flu Response Guidelines for Superintenents
Other Pandemic Flu Resources for Schools
• Sample parent information letter to send home to parents is available in multiple languages from the Seattle/King County Health Department. (NOTE: This sample letter is written for schools in King County. Schools in ESD 105 region will need to alter some information in the letter prior to sending one to parents.)
• "Don't Get Sidelined by the Flu" includes educational materials from the National Association of School Nurses' Web site to help educate parents and students about protecting themselves against the flu. Materials are available in both English and Spanish and include information on prevention, symptom recognition and treatment options for the flu.
• Pandemic Flu School Action Kit from Contra Costa Health Services. This site from Contra Costa County, California, contains a comprehensive kit designed to help schools with preparation and response.
• Handwashing information from the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department
• General information about pandemic flu from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
| General Safety Resources |
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| • Tips for School Administrators for Reinforcing School Safety from the National Association of School Psychologists | • Disaster Supplies Kit from the National Disaster Coalition | |
| • School Medical Emergency Response Plan: Recommended Elements from the American Academy of Pediatrics | • What is a Safe School? – Safe Communities - Safe Schools fact sheet | • Creating a Crisis Plan – Safe Communities - Safe Schools fact sheet |
| • School Safety Supplies Resources containing links to a dozen supply sites | • Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities from the American Red Cross and FEMA |
• Shelter In Place (from the Washington State Dept. of Health) provides information on how people can seek shelter where they are and seal the premises |
Key Contacts for Questions or Assistance
Resources for Individuals and Families
The following sites contain helpful information to assist in individual or family preparation for any disaster, including a possible pandemic influenza outbreak.
• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
• American Red Cross
• Washington State Department of Health
In addition to your own school nurse, the following resources can provide you information for preparing for or responding to an emergency:
ESD 105 contacts:
• Gail Fast, School Nurse Corps Coordinator – (509) 454-3129, gail.fast@esd105.org
• Kay Gutierrez, Human Resources Director – (509) 454-2858, kay.gutierrez@esd105.org
• Randy Town, School Safety Coordinator – (509) 454-5313, randy.town@esd105.org
• David Goehner, Public Information Officer – (509) 454-3131, david.goehner@esd105.org
• Ann Allen, Learning Support Director – (509) 454-3107, ann.allen@esd105.org
OSPI contacts:
• Gayle Thronson, Health Services Program Supervisor – (360) 725-6040, gayle.thronson@k12.wa.us
• Martin Mueller, Learning/Teaching Support Supervisor – (360) 725-6050, martin.mueller@k12.wa.us
• Craig Apperson, School Safety/Safety Center Program Supervisor – (360) 725-6044, craig.apperson@k12.wa.us
County resources:
• Grant County Public Health District: Barbara Baker, Public Health Nurse – (509) 766-7960 ext. 18, bbaker@granthealth.org
• Kittitas County Public Health Office: Colleen Riley, Emergency Response County Coordinator – (509) 962-7515, colleen.riley@co.kittitas.wa.us
• Klickitat County Public Health Office: Jane Palmer, Nursing Director – (509) 493-1858, janep@co.clickitat.wa.us
Erin Birney – (509) 249-6507, gordon.kelley@co.clickitat.wa.us
• Yakima Health District: Gordon Kelley, Local Emergency Response Coordinator – (509) 249-6507, gordon.kelley@co.yakima.wa.us
Regional emergency managers:
• Grant County: Sam Lorenz, Director – Grant County Dept. of Emergency Management, 6500 32nd Ave. NE, Ste. 911, Moses Lake, WA – (509) 762-1462
• KittitasCounty: Fred Slyfield – Kittitas County Sheriff's Office, 205 W. 5th Ave., Ellensburg, WA – (509) 962-7525
• Klickitat County: Steve Brown – Klickitat County Dept. of Emergency Management, 205 S. Columbus MS CH-7, Goldendale, WA – (509) steveb@co.klickitat.wa.us
• Yakima County: Jim Hall – Office of Emergency Management, Yakima County Courthouse, Rm B10, Yakima, WA – jim.hall@co.yakima.wa.us
Regional contacts:
• Barbara Andrews, Yakima County Health District Emergency Preparedness and Response – (509) 249-6533, barb.andrews@co.yakima.wa.us
• Leslie Koenig, Benton Franklin Health Department Emergency Response Regional Coordinator – (509) 586-0673, lesliek@bfhd.wa.gov
• Chuck Johnson, Chelan Douglas County Health Department Emergency Response Regional Coordinator – (509) 886-6421, chuck.johnson@cdhd.wa.gov
• Jacqueline Dawson, Chelan Douglas County Health Department Emergency Surveillance/Response Regional Epidemiologist – (509) 886-6428, jacquelin.dawson@cdhd.wa.gov
Statewide resources:
• Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Health Services – Contains very helpful information, resources, and links to planning tools for schools
• Washington State Dept. of Health (DOH) – Contains basic information and links
• Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept. – Includes school checklist, downloadable posters, handwashing activities, lesson plans, and many other resources
• Public Health - Seattle and King County – Includes resources and a video link featuring Jeff Duchin, MD, discussing pandemic flu and the need to prepare
• Spokane Regional Health District – Emergency Preparedness
• Bethel School District – Contains helpful "Pandemic Flu Frequently Asked Questions" addressed by school district's lead nurse, Janice Doyle
National and worldwide resources:
• Pennsylvania Pandemic Preparedness – A pandemic preparedness toolkit for schools, plus a wide variety of resources
• Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Flu.gov – Contains school and personal checklists
• U.S. Dept. of Education – Contains links for emergency preparation for schools and examples of local plans.
• American Red Cross – Contains disaster planning tools
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Includes the school checklist developed with DHHS and other planning information
• CDC Travel Advisories – Contains health information by country
• National Institutes of Health – Features pandemic flu information and publication
• World Health Organization – Includes pandemic flue information and statements
