NOBLE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT44069 Marietta RD Caldwell, OH 43724-9124
PHONE: 740.732.4958 • TOLL FREE: 888.70.NOBLE • FAX: 740.732.5043 •
NOBLE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
44069 Marietta RD Caldwell, OH 43724-9124
PHONE: 740.732.4958 • TOLL FREE: 888.70.NOBLE • FAX: 740.732.5043 •
E-MAIL: noblcohd@odh.ohio.gov or info@noblecohd.org
August 21, 2009
Dear Parents:
Influenza A H1N1 virus (otherwise know as the swine flu) is a new influenza virus causing illness.
This new virus was detected in the United States in April 2009. It is spreading from person-toperson
world-wide, much like regular flu. By June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization
signaled that a global pandemic of H1N1 was underway. More than 70 countries had reported cases
of H1N1 infection. Since June, the number of countries involved has nearly doubled. The United
States has reported the largest number of cases than any country world-wide.
As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person-to-person. Therefore, your school district
and the Noble County Health Department are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu within the
schools. We want to keep the school open to students and functioning in a normal manner during
this flu season. But, we need your help to do this.
Here are a few things you can do to help.
** Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.
** Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
** Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
** Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.
** Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that children 6 months
through 18 years of age in addition to other groups of people, be vaccinated against the new H1N1
(“swine flu”) influenza virus as soon as a vaccine becomes available. As you may have heard, this
new influenza virus has caused illness ranging from mild to severe and has caused hospitalizations
in both adults and children. Because children do not have immunity to this virus, they have been
most affected by it and are considered at high risk of infection. As the U.S. begins its fall and winter
flu season, the CDC is concerned that this virus may cause more illness, which may be severe in
some cases. Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from this potentially serious disease.
Successfully serving the families of our community for more than 80 years.
The Noble County Health Department is working with your child’s school to offer the new H1N1 influenza vaccine to children at school. We will hold vaccination clinics beginning this fall and your child’s school will provide specific dates once vaccine is obtained. School officials will send you an informational packet which will likely be sent home with your child. This packet will contain information sheets about the disease and the vaccine as well as a form that you must sign to accept or refuse vaccination for your child. Vaccine will not be given to your child without your written consent. Children are expected to need two doses of the vaccine spaced 3 weeks or more apart. There will be no cost to you for this vaccine.
For more information, contact the Noble County Health Department @ 1-888-70-NOBLE
(66253), 740-732-4958, or info@noblecohd.org.
You may also visit our website: http://www.noblecohd.org
Vaccines are very important in preventing the spread of serious, potentially life threatening diseases. Please help us help our community and get the word out. The Noble County Health Department will continue to “take care of our own.”
Sincerely,
Shawn E. Ray, RS, MPH
Health Commissioner