PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tammy J. Gabel, Ed.D. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: (530)333-8300 9 A.M. PDT, June 3, 2009
1 CASE of H1N1 Virus at Golden Sierra High School
GARDEN VALLEY, Ca; JUNE 3, 2009: The Black Oak Unified School District was contacted today by the El Dorado County Health Services Department to notify the district that a Golden Sierra High School Student has a probable case of the H1N1 Virus.
The student became ill with flu-like symptoms, was treated by a doctor and sent home to rest. He has exhibited mild symptoms and is recovering.
Since the initial outbreak of the H1N1 virus, researchers have found that it is behaving similarly to seasonal influenza viruses in terms of illness among those infected. To date, this virus has mainly caused mild illness.
The district is following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, the California Department of Health, and the El Dorado County Health Services Department. Current guidelines state that we are not to close or dismiss students from school. Schools will remain open through the regularly scheduled last day of school – June 5th.
The district maintenance and custodial staff are cleaning all hard surfaces in classrooms and offices daily. The El Dorado County Health Services Department encourages increased hand-washing for all students and staff at school as well as at home.
Parents were notified by telephone of the outbreak, and letters to parents were sent home with all students. Persons with flu-like illness (having a fever with either a cough or a sore throat) need to stay home and not come to any public gathering for 7 days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after the symptoms have gone away, whichever is longer.
Persons who are at high risk of complications from H1N1 Virus infection, such as those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women should consider their risk of exposure to this virus if they plan to go to a public gathering.
All persons are reminded to use appropriate hygiene precautions including, cover your coughs and sneezes, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, keep your distance away from people who are coughing. Avoid shaking hands with others. Avoid sharing personal items.
The district website will continue to be updated as new information is available. www.bomusd.org. For additional information, please contact Michele Hohn, District School Nurse, or Olivia Byron-Cooper, Epidemiologist at the El Dorado County Health Services Department at 530-621-6374.