PANDEMIC & SEASONAL FLU

A TRAINING TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL The New England Consortium (TNEC) of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell October, 2008

Optional Training Outlines

If you have 45 minutes:

     Introduction/Purpose of Training (Consider using the “Purpose/Plan” & “Why Now” slides) Show Video ( 29 Minutes ) Quick Debrief ( do you have?”) “What was new information for you?” “What questions Cover key points slides. Additional talking points ( roles.) For example, flu basics, district plans, specific

More Time:

 See next slide.

District Training Plan

1.

Introduction to Training 2.

Video & Debrief 3.

The District Response; Planning for Schools 4.

Staying Healthy; Infection Control 5.

Questions

Purpose/Plan

 This purpose of this initiative is to provide support and guidance to local districts with the goal of promoting a coordinated response in the face of seasonal flu and, if need be, a flu pandemic.  Supported by:    The Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education The MA Region II Public Health Emergency/Preparedness Coalition The Massachusetts Teachers Association  Train-the-trainer sessions for educational personnel are being conducted in the within MA Region II Public Health Emergency/Preparedness Coalition - Region II in an effort to: 1) have up-to-date and accessible resources on site; and, to 2) continue to promote the broad-based dissemination of knowledge and skills that will maintain and/or increase district preparedness for seasonal and pandemic flu.

Why Now?

      History points to some urgency Some training has occurred; and, districts plans are in place Most people already have basic information New district personnel need training Review & reminders are useful Preparation is essential & helps to:     Minimize fears Lead us to a smooth & effect response in the face of the flu Reduce panic, chaos & misunderstanding when confronted with a pandemic Allow us to know what to expect

Video

 

“Flu 101”

(29:00) Produced by the Boston based Rendon Group

Options for Debriefing Video

   Review Key Points Slide Have small groups of participants discuss key points & report back to full group. Trainer compares to key points slide Have participants turn to the person next to them and briefly discuss two or three important points or any new information from the video. Brainstorm and note on chart paper. Trainer compares to key points slide  Expect overlap with their ideas and slide; note similarities and differences

Video: Key Points

      Seasonal flu involves a unique strain every year Pandemic flu is expected and significant impacts - medical, personal, economic and otherwise – are anticipated Epidemic (geographically contained outbreak) vs Pandemic (world-wide outbreak) If Avian Flu comes to U.S., will be severe for the poultry industry. But, unless virus mutates, it won’t be significant for the public health Collaborative, regional all hazards planning in place School buildings ideal as emergency dispensing sites

Video: Key Points, cont.

       When pandemic flu comes, no vaccine will be available Planning involves containment, education, prevention Role for everyone, including students, custodians, food handlers, school nurses, bus monitors, administrators, teachers, etc.

Teachers are in a position to be with the population most likely to spread the virus If schools close, planning for continuity of services is key Plans should be well-communicated throughout the district and to the public School personnel would be of great value as volunteers

May, 2007

According to the CDC, should a pandemic flu virus emerge, a global spread is considered inevitable. Michael Laevitt, Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services has said: “In the past few months, the media buzz around bird flu has died down, but the H5N1 strain of avian influenza has not. It remains a serious danger that we all must face together”. Every 100 years pandemics occur naturally in our environment and another is soon expected.

Some Points to Consider

 Approximately 1/5 of the U.S. population attends or works in schools (USDOE, 1999)  Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold alone (CDC, 1996)  Addressing the spread of germs in schools is essential to the health of our youth, our schools and our nation  Students need to get plenty of sleep and physical activity, drink water, and eat good food to help them stay healthy in the water and all year.  Technology has created the opportunity for social space – including online learning, web based assessment, etc.

CDC

Flu Projections (2007)

 Annually, in the U.S., on average:  36,000 people die from flu  Over 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications (bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, dehydration, etc.)  5%-20% of the population gets the flu http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

 Estimates of Massachusetts casualties of the next pandemic:  1 million persons affected  800,000 victims hospitalized  20,000 deaths http://www.sudbury.ma.us/documents/dl/3274/PandemicFluPresentation3.22.pdf

Topics For Discussion

 What causes the flu?  How the flu is spread?

 Symptoms of the flu?

 Difference between flu & cold?

What Is the Flu?

 Influenza ( Flu ) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus  Seasonal Influenza is the periodic outbreaks of respiratory illness in the fall and winter  Influenza epidemics occur nearly every year  Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can even lead to death

Epidemic & Pandemic

 Epidemic: An outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely  Pandemic: An epidemic occurring worldwide or over as very wide area that crosses international boundaries and usually affects a large number of people

PandemicFlu.gov

Key Concerns For Schools

      High Absentee Rate 20% Adults & 40% Children Will Be Sick Major Infrastructure Disruption Healthcare Will Be Overwhelmed Not Enough Vaccine Schools May Be Closed US - DOE

Federal & State Level Response

Key federal & state documents, however out-of-date, provide 1) historical background, 2) basic guidance, 3) critical areas to consider:  Federal Response – National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza (11/05):    Preparedness & Communication Surveillance & Detection Response & Containment  State Laws & Guidelines – Governor & Commissioner of Public Health have oversight  State of Emergency

Pandemic Flu: A planning guide for educators www.pandemicflu.gov

9/06

Key Areas of a School-Based Plan

(MADOE Pandemic Planning Matrix)

The Plan:



TRAINERS: INSERT KEY POINTS OF YOUR DISTRICT PLAN HERE

Activity/Discussion

   What has your district done already? What do you know about the local plan?

 Do others in the district know details of the plan?

 Do new employees know the details of the plan?

 Strengths? Areas for improvement? Who are players in the LEA?

 What are the unique roles for each member of the LEA?

 What is needed to support these roles – training, supplies, etc.?

Additional/Alternative Exercise

 In small groups, have participants learn/review their district plan identify components of the plan, gaps, new information, etc.

Staying Healthy Basics: Infection Control

         HAND WASHING: Wash your hands often with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer/alcohol-based gel SAFE COUGH/SNEEZE ‘ETIQUETTE’ - Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze SOCIAL DISTANCING - staying home when sick, closing school building, telecommuting, staggering work shifts, avoiding large groups, etc.

Talk with your doctor about getting a yearly flu vaccine Stay home when sick Make an emergency plan Volunteer in your community No evidence to support use of masks and/or widespread disinfection of the environment or air Universal precautions, as needed

All Hazards Planning

 Essential components of pandemic preparation, although useful for a range of emergencies, such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, etc.  Plan for and discuss emergency preparation with your family  Obtain and store water, food and other supplies  Be actively involved in your community and school emergency preparedness program

All Hazards Planning, cont.

Did You Know?:

 Only 31% of American families have a basic emergency plan  47% of American families believe we will experience a major disaster in the next 5 years  43% of American families not planning to do anything to prepare Columbia University Annual Preparedness Survey July 2007

Your Questions