Dr. Marc Bernstein, our Superintendent of Schools, has participated in periodic conference calls with other school leaders and the Nassau County Department of Health. In addition, he has received a constant flow of memoranda from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State Education Department and the Nassau County Department of Health. This information has been shared with our Board of Education, school principals, and staff.

The CDC has issued revised guidelines regarding actions that schools should take based upon any suspected case of Swine Flu. They are no longer recommending the closing of school.

The following recommendations are quoted directly from the CDC's memorandum of May 26, 2009:

• School closure is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel Influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school's ability to function.
• Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days even if symptoms resolve sooner.
• Students, faculty and staff who appear to have an influenza-like illness at arrival or become ill during the school day should be isolated promptly in a room separate from other students and sent home.
• Parents and guardians should monitor their school-aged children, and faculty and staff should self-monitor every morning for symptoms of influenza-like illness.

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We have received the following set of questions and answers from the Nassau County Health Department which we share with you. In addition, New York State has set up a special phone number (1-800-808-1987) for the public to call to receive additional information.

Swine Influenza Questions and Answers

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza, also called Swine Flu, is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type A Influenza viruses. Outbreaks of Swine Flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get Swine Flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of Fwine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it's possible for Swine Flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

Is Swine Flu the same as Seasonal Flu?

No. Seasonal Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by human influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. Human flu viruses change a little bit every year which is why people can get sick from the flu more than once. It is also why a new flu vaccine is produced each year; the vaccine must be made to protect against the particular viruses circulating that year.