New Case of Influenza Type A at Amherst Regional High School

As of yesterday, a case of Influenza Type A has been confirmed at Amherst Regional High School. While not all Type A cases are H1N1 (Swine Flu), the MA Department of Public Health is no longer recommending confirmatory testing for positive Type A tests in individuals who are not high risk or chronically ill. Thus, Type A influenza results are considered to be H1N1 and treated accordingly.

The Amherst Public School System has published a letter on their website which can be read by clicking here. Thr text of the letter reads thus:

"As you probably know, there are different strains of flu affecting Massachusetts and there is a confirmed case of Influenza Type A, which includes H1N1, at our Regional High School. So far, the symptoms of the new H1N1 flu are similar to those of seasonal flu. But any flu virus can cause serious illness, thus we are working very closely with the Amherst Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health officials to try to prevent the spread of the flu among students and staff.

"We are monitoring student and staff attendance because some schools in the state have had to close due to high rates of absenteeism due flu like symptoms. To assist with our monitoring please contact your school if your child is absent and experiencing flu like symptoms. Even though your child’s school has not closed, please think about how you would manage child care issues if closure were necessary.

"There are steps every parent/guardian can take to lower their children’s chances of getting sick. Teach them to wash their hands often with soap and water. Also, teach your children to cough into their inner elbow or into a tissue, instead of their hands. This will help prevent the spread of germs, including the flu virus.

"Make sure that your child does not have signs of the flu before you send them to school each morning. On the opposite side of this page is “Flu symptoms Checklist for Families and Schools” for your reference. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is requesting that if your child has signs of the flu, please keep them at home for 7 days after their symptoms start, or 24 hours after their symptoms go away—whichever is longer.

"When your child is well again, and has stayed home according to the guidance above, he or she does not need to be tested for the flu before returning to school. Most people who get the flu do not need to seek medical care and do not need to be tested for H1N1 flu. However, if you have questions or concerns, you should contact your health care provider.

"We appreciate your continued cooperation and support as we work together to reduce the spread of the flu in our community."

The Amherst Health Department is in close contact with the the School Department, and any necessary updates will be communicated to the public via the ARPS website or this blog. As always, please feel free to call the Health Department at 259-3077 for further information.