Information on flu outbreak

Flu season usually runs from October to March. There are many resources and information to help you (whether you're a parent, a child care provider or work in another early childhood setting) plan for flu season. You can help prevent the spread of flu through everyday activities including:

  • Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
    Due to the spread of the H1N1 virus and seasonal viruses, DEL is changing its rules on the use hand sanitizer products for children in DEL-licensed child care centers and homes. Click here to learn more.
  • Keeping surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

To read a joint letter from Department of Early Learning Director Bette Hyde and Washington State Department of Health Secretary Mary Selecky to all Washington families with children in child care, preschool or other early learning settings, please click here.

Brochures for parents about seasonal and H1N1 flu are available here.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance for child care and other early childhood programs where children are in group settings.

Among the CDC’s recommendations for early childhood programs:

  • Examine and revise current crisis or pandemic plans and procedures.
  • Develop plans to cover staff absences due to illness.
  • Share their plans with families, staff and the community.
  • Review and revise sick leave policies to remove barriers to staff staying home while ill or caring for an ill family member.

Click here to read the full guidance document. Programs can find additional information recommendations in the
CDC recommendations for Preventing the Spread of Influenza (the Flu) in Child Care Settings.

Programs should frequently remind children, families and staff about the importance of staying home while sick; the importance of hand washing and covering sneezes and coughs; and the importance of early treatment for people at higher risk for flu complications. A communications toolkit is available to help programs answer common questions and inform parents in their communities.

Free brochures and flyers are also available for printing at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/flyers.htm

H1N1 information

At this time, the CDC is recommending students, faculty or staff at a school or child care facility who have flu-like illness should stay home. The CDC is not recommending school closure for a suspected or confirmed case of H1N1 flu.
Click here to read the CDC guidance for school dismissals.
Click here to read a School District Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist.

For more information on Swine Influenza, visit http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/, or the Washington State Department of Health: http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/.

For additional information from the federal government about H1N1, avian and pandemic flu, visit http://www.flu.gov/.

Para la información en Español, haga clic aquí.