School health officials are working closely with state and national agencies to prepare for the return of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.

Delaware's flu prevention strategy reflects the latest guidance provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Delaware's Education Secretary Dr. Lillian Lowery recently noted that DOE officials would work with the Division of Public Health on a timeline within which vaccinations would be offered to every student in public and charter schools on a VOLUNTARY basis. "The government is going to supply us with the vaccine and then parents and students will have an opportunity to use our services to get vaccinations or you may use your medical services or private doctors offering the vaccination. We hope everyone would get a vaccination so that we can keep you all as save and healthy as possible," said Dr. Lowery in an interview with The News Journal.

In the meantime, practicing good hygiene is the single most important thing we can do to help prevent the spread of germs. The Center for Disease Control & Prevention recommends:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands
• Put used tissues in the trash.
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them. People should stay home at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100?F), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

(People cannot get swine flu from pork or pork products.)

Your child's classroom teacher and the school nurse are reinforcing this message with practical demonstrations and discussions at our schools. In addition, we have some helpful handouts for families and will be sending updates to our school family through newsletters, websites and automated phone messages.

Good websites to bookmark:

The CDC will answer questions from the general public about swine flu 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact CDC INFO at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).

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