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Memphis, TN. - As a result of new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that were released today at 1 p.m. CST, the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department is announcing the re-opening of Incarnation School in Collierville. The school will reopen tomorrow at 8 a.m. Classes and school-associated activities will resume as usual.
The school was closed last Thursday due to the announcement of a student who was identified by the Tennessee Department of Health laboratory as exhibiting symptoms similar to the novel H1N1 (swine flu) virus. At this time, this still remains a probable case. The Health Department has not received a confirmation at this time from the CDC that the initial specimen has tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
Since the beginning of the H1N1 virus outbreak, the CDC has been working to develop guidelines to help prevent the spread of the novel H1N1 virus. However, today the CDC issued its recommendation that school closure is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel H1N1 due to new information and guidance that indicated that a need for adjustments due to the recommendation. In general, the CDC recommends that unless there is widespread faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with a school's ability to function, the school should remain open.
However, students and faculty with flu-like illness should stay at home, be isolated from others, and not congregate in settings other than school.
"This new guidance indicates that the CDC is adjusting its guidance based on learning more about the virus and its severity. By all indications, it appears that this novel flu virus is similar to that typically caused by seasonal influenza," said Helen Morrow, chief medical officer at the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department. "Given that, we want to continue to emphasize that people practice good hygiene by washing their hands frequently, coughing into their sleeve or a tissue, and if you're sick, stay at home. This is the best information you can use to protect yourself and your family's health."
As of the date and time of this release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed 403 human cases of this strain of flu infection in the U.S. in 38 states. Two of these cases are in Tennessee in the counties of Davidson and Williamson. The most current information, as well as a state-by-state breakdown, can be found on the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.
Essential Practical Health Tips to Follow:
Tennessee residents who think they may be ill with the flu or flu-like illness should contact their health care provider. Symptoms of the illness are as follows: fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you become ill and experience any warning signs, seek emergency medical care. In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
For more information about the current flu outbreak, visit the Shelby County portal at http://shelbycountytn.gov or listen to recorded information at 901.544.6969 or call 2-1-1 or 415.2790. Additional information is also available at the CDC's Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
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