Links and Other Resources

Pandemic Influenza

• Background Information
• Planning Resources for Schools
• Planning Resources for Families
• General Pandemic Influenza Information
• Related CHKRC Resources
• Downloadable Health Flyers & Posters

Pandemic influenza (flu) starts when a new flu virus develops and begins to spread around the world. Right now, there is no pandemic flu. But experts believe the current virus that is now seen in birds (avian flu) could change into a virus that can be transferred from person to person. That may lead to a pandemic. There are steps that individuals, families, and communities (including schools) can and should take to prepare.

Schools must help protect the health and safety of staff and students. Experts believe that up to 30 percent of the population may be sick at the same time. When pandemic flu occurs, there will likely be NO VACCINE for the first six months of the pandemic, and anti-viral medication will be in very limited supply. To control the spread of illness, social distancing, such as closing schools and having people stay at home, will be the primary approach to preventing the spread of the flu virus. Schools may have to be closed for a few weeks to a month or more if there is an outbreak of flu in the area.

It is important for all schools and before and after school programs to communicate with and know the roles and policies of local agencies, such as the local health department and local office of emergency services. Both of these agencies will have important roles if there is a pandemic.

(Adapted from the California Department of Education’s Pandemic Flu Checklist for Local Educational Agencies in California, August 2006)

www.ReadyCaSchools.org The California Department of Health Services and California Department of Education site for pandemic influenza school preparedness.

California Department of Education Flu Prevention—Pandemic flu links, resources, and checklists

• Checklist for Local Educational Agencies in California (doc, 110kb, 8pp.)
• Checklist for Child Care Agencies and Preschools in California (doc, 114kb, 7pp.)

ED.gov, Emergency Planning—U.S. Department of Education site with comprehensive list of resources and links for pandemic emergency planning for schools

Emergency Planning—Information for building pandemic flu into your comprehensive emergency plan.

Pandemic Flu: A Planning Guide for Educators—Identifies issues to consider when planning for seasonal flu, a mild or moderate pandemic flu, or a severe pandemic.

Examples of State and Local Plans and Planning Efforts—A panel of experts identified examples of strong planning efforts and useful resources.

CDC Flu: Stop the Spread of Germs: Actions for Schools—Ways to prevent flu from spreading in schools.

Pandemic Planning—Resources for Higher Education

Secretary Spellings’ letter to school districts—Asks local education agencies to create plans for a potential flu outbreak.

Protect Yourself Against Flu and Pandemic Flu brochure

Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan—The California Department of Health Services—plan offers detailed information on public health planning, preparedness, and interventions for pandemic influenza.

PandemicFlu.gov—One-stop access to all federal information related to pandemic and avian flu. Includes comprehensive information for community planning.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—Offers individual, community, and public health pandemic influenza information, resources, and links.

Influenza Preparedness and You – Offers general information and resources about influenza.

The resources below are available for free loan from the CHKRC. Click on title links to get more information on titles of interest and to add materials to your loan list if you order online. You may also order by phone, fax, or mail

Instructional Resources on Hygiene

• Clean Kids #4183 (VHS)
• Healthy Start: Preschool Health Education #1085
• Preventing Communicable Diseases: Colds, Flu, AIDS and STDs (Without Condom) #6154 (VHS)
• The Sneeze: How Germs Are Spread #7349 (DVD)
• What’s a Hygiene? #4186 (VHS)
  
  

Professional Resources on Hygiene and Universal Precautions

• Bloodborne Pathogens: Real, Real Life for Schools #3338 (DVD)
• Health, Mental Health, and Safety Guidelines for Schools #5419
• Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools #5420
  
  

Resources to Cope with Stress and Death in the School Community

• Reducing Exceptional Stress and Trauma Series—The facilitator’s guide contains modules and resources to help facilitators conduct training sessions for school staff on reducing the impact of exceptional stress and trauma on children and youth. The curriculum guide is designed to help children deal with the emotional consequences of their exposure to trauma or violence.
  
• When Death Impacts Your School: A Guide for School Administrators #4673
  
  

California Adopted Comprehensive Health Education Resources that include hygiene and coping education

• Decisions for Health Series
• Health Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve #4520
• Health and Fitness Series
• Health and Wellness Series
• Teen Health Course Series
  
  

• CDC Influenza information
• Printable flyer Cover Your Cough English (PDF file)
  
• Printable flyer over Your Cough Spanish (PDF file)