IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
W.S. Landis, Superintendent of Schools USD 459
April 29, 2009
Attention Parents and Guardians
April 29th, 2009
To: District Parents and Guardians
From: W.S. Landis, Superintendent
Re: Swine Flu Concerns
Since children are our most important business, USD 459 has taken some extra precautions to prepare our facilities for this new type of influenza virus, called Swine Flu. We have received press releases from the Kansas Department of Health and the Ford County Health Department to assist school districts with some common sense reminders for keeping facilities as germ free as possible.
This type of influenza is not a food borne illness but a respiratory illness and individuals can become contagious before someone has symptoms. The best prevention is to practice and maintain basic hygiene skills listed below:
-Covering your nose or mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze and
throw the tissue away. Another method is to cough or sneeze in your
elbow.
-Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after sneezing or coughing.
-Alcohol based cleaners are very effective and can be used
to clean counter tops and door knobs.
-Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
-Avoid close contact with sick people since influenza spreads person to
person through coughing and sneezing.
-If you or your child has flu like symptoms-Stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid the spreading of this Influenza virus.
Here are some web sites that may be of interest to you and can be helpful in answering questions you may have. Pork Board Website at www.pork.org , Kansas Department of Health and Environment Website at www.kdheks.gov
This type of influenza (H1N1) is preventable and treatable if we all follow effective hygiene principles. If you have concerns please contact our County Health Department at 620-227-4545 and please inform the school if you feel someone in your household has contracted the swine flu.
Yours in Health,
W.S. Landis, Superintendent
