School Health Services Update Board of Education Meeting October 20, 2014
Allison Strand
Executive Director of Special Education
Healthy and Safe School Environment • Recent mandated changes in immunizations by New York State – May 2014
• Enterovirus • Ebola
Recent Actions District-wide Nurses’ Meeting – October 9th, 2014 Attendees included:
Mrs. Kelly Fallon, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Harrigan, Deputy Superintendent Mrs. Allison Strand, Executive Director of Special Education School Nurse from every building
• Protocols reviewed and put in place regarding recent New York State mandated immunization changes • Reviewed and implemented protocols to address seasonal viruses • Common Health & Safety Precautions shared throughout the district
Immunization Procedures • Changes in immunization requirements by New York State Department of Health grades K – 12 in May of 2014 • General notification sent in June to all parents • Personalized notification • Exclusion date included in letters
Enterovirus • The CDC reports, “In general, a mix of enteroviruses circulates every year, and different types of enteroviruses can be common in different years. Small numbers of EV-D68 have been reported regularly to CDC since 1987. However, this year the number of people reported with confirmed EV-D68 infection is much greater than that reported in previous years. Since EV-D68 causes respiratory illness, the virus can be found in an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. EV-D68 likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches a surface that is then touched by others.”
Ebola • The CDC reports, “Ebola is not spread through casual contact; therefore, the risk of an outbreak in the U.S. is very low. We know how to stop Ebola’s further spread: thorough case finding, isolation of ill people, contacting people exposed to the ill person, and further isolation of contacts if they develop symptoms.”
HEALTH & SAFETY PRECAUTIONS •Wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer •Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of any person, particularly someone who is sick •Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids •Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever (temperature of 101.5°F / 38.6°C) and any of the other following symptoms: Headache Muscle Pain Diarrhea Vomiting Stomach Pain Unexplained bruising or bleeding •Limit your contact with other people until, and when, you go to the doctor. Do not travel anywhere else besides a healthcare facility. •STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL IF YOU ARE SICK!
New Entrants to District • Registrar educated and informed • New registrants will be asked specific questions regarding travel history. • In the unlikely event that we have new entrants to the District from Liberia, Guinea, or Sierra Leone, the Deputy Superintendent will be notified.
RESOURCES Centers for Disease Control & Prevention www.cdc.gov New York State Department of Health www.schoolhealthservicesny.com New York Statewide School Health Services Center www.schoolhealthservicesny.com