Preparing for H1N1
At the 2009 Pandemic Influenza Summit, held in August by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), guidance on addressing the predicted outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus this fall was reevaluated by DSHS, the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), and other agencies, based on lessons learned from last spring’s H1N1 outbreak. To prepare for a potential fall outbreak of both seasonal and H1N1 flu, schools should review pandemic flu and emergency operations plans now, in addition to
making advance contact with local health authorities.
The following information focuses on specific material presented at the Summit regarding the H1N1 virus. Please note that this information is subject to change, based on new or changing information about the H1N1 virus, its spread, vaccine, and other related issues. Districts should continue to monitor available resources to ensure that the most current guidance is followed. Links to general resources for pandemic influenza planning are included at the end of this article.
