pH1N1 Flu Virus 2009 Influenza Virus

Update: December 4, 2009

Questions & Answers for Parents

H1N1/Student Absenteeism Data

December 3 to December 9 (Nil Report)

November 26 to December 2 (Nil Report)
November 19 to November 25
November 12 to November 18
November 5 to November 11
October 29 to November 4

The student absenteeism data reported on this website is being provided to the Halton Region Health Department in order to assist with the surveillance and tracking of influenza-like illness (ILI) that is in our community.
 
This data is not based on medical information. It is based on the information that parents provide to school offices regarding their child/children’s absence due to ILI symptoms. This information is shared with both the Halton Region Health Department and the Ministry of Education.
 
The Halton Region Health Department continues to remind those who are ill to remain at home until they are fully recovered, while those who are well should continue with their daily activities.

• What's the difference between the common cold and the flu (Halton Public Health)
• H1N1 Fact Sheet (Ministry of Health)

The Halton District School Board continues to work closely with Halton Region Health Department to monitor the H1N1 Flu Virus situation.

For the past several years, we have worked with the Health Department as we prepared and revised our Board’s Pandemic Response Plan.  This is a comprehensive plan and identifies steps the Board will take throughout each of the pandemic phases. Please take time to read the Pandemic Response Plan.  Each school has a Pandemic Response Plan based on the Board Plan. 

For current information about the H1N1 Flu Virus, please visit the Halton Region Health Department website regularly at http://www.halton.ca/health/services/communicable_disease/swine-flu-HD.htm

Where can I get more detailed information?
The Board website has a direct link to the Halton Region Health Department website. This site contains the most current information. As well, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has produced a brochure called This year it’s a different flu season. This brochure will be delivered to every household in Ontario by Canada Post during the week of September 14.

Additional information sources:

http://www.hdsb.ca Halton District School Board website with links to the Halton Region Health Department website or go directly to http://www.halton.ca/health/

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/updates/archives/hu_09/swine_flu.html Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

http://www.oahpp.ca Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion

http://www.ontario.ca/flu information about seasonal flu, pH1N1 and pandemic preparedness

1-866-797-0000 or TTY: 1-866-797-0007 Telehealth Ontario

http://www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect Health Care Connect program for those who do not have a health care provider

http://www.fightflu.ca Public Health Agency of Canada

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine-porcine/faq_rg_swine-eng.php Public Health
Agency of Canada

http://www.who.int/en/  World Health Organization 

Reminder to parents:

We continue to remind parents, students and staff to review the information provided by the Halton Region Health Department (www.halton.ca) concerning recommended actions to reduce the spread of the virus. 

These recommendations include:

• Frequent hand washing (for at least 15 seconds with soap and water).  
• Coughing and sneezing into your arm/sleeve
• Staying at home if you feel ill
• Contact your health care provider if you have flu-like symptoms 

 
Protocol for the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer in schools and work locations in the Halton District School Board.

The Halton District School Board’s Pandemic Working Group recommends the following to staff and students concerning the use of alcohol based hand sanitizer:

• Individuals who bring alcohol based hand sanitizer to school for their personal use must be aware of the flammability potential of this product and its potential to be an irritant for people with environmental sensitivities.
• For this reason, users must ensure the product is securely stored and an adult supervises its use.

Currently the Halton District School Board supply a non-alcohol based hand sanitizer to schools for use in portables, main office, library and computer labs.