K-12 School Officials
The Iowa Department of Education (DE) and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) are working together to prepare for the 2009-2010 influenza season and recommend that Iowa's K-12 school officials review and consider the following resources when developing their influenza related activities:
Resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Technical Report for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators on CDC Guidance for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza During the 2009-2010 School Year 
NOTE: The report is divided into two sections:
- Recommendations for conditions of "similar severity as in Spring 2009"
- Recommendations for conditions of "increased severity"
Currently the severity of illness associated with the circulating strains of influenza is similar to Spring 2009, and therefore DE and IDPH ask that you consider the first set of recommendations. Should the severity increase, DE and IDPH will issue additional communications to schools recommending a shift to the "increased severity" recommendations.
Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K-12) 
Contains samples of the following:
- Factsheets for parents, staff, and students
- Signs that can be posted in schools
- Template informational letters that schools can distribute
From IDPH and DE:
2009 H1N1 Guidance for Schools in Statewide Outbreak Situation
Environmental cleaning and disinfection resources for influenza, including:
Letter template for schools to distribute to parents/guardians
- The template provides tips for keeping students healthy and discusses the importance of excluding ill children until 24 hours after fever resolves.
Advice for talking to children about influenza fact sheet
- Factsheet with tips for discussing influenza with children in an appropriate manner with the goal of minimizing stress and confusion.
School reporting and surveillance systems:
- School reporting and surveillance systems:
- Schools are asked to report absenteeism when 10% or more of the total enrollment is absent on any given day
- Schools may report using the web-based survey tool (either single day or weekly summaries may be submitted)
- If you are unable to report using the survey tool please contact the Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology at (800)362-2735
- IDPH Influenza Surveillance Network
- The Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network (IISN) is recruiting schools to participate in the surveillance program.
- Additional information
- The CDC has developed an online novel influenza A (H1N1)-related school dismissal reporting system
Schools are encouraged to collaborate with their local public health department on influenza planning activities.
Higher Education
Resources prepared by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Technical Report on CDC Guidance for Responses to Flu for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year
NOTE: The report is divided into two sections:
- Recommendations for conditions of "similar severity as in Spring 2009"
- Recommendations for conditions of "increased severity"
Currently the severity of illness associated with the circulating strains of influenza is similar to Spring 2009, and therefore DE and IDPH ask that you consider the first set of recommendations. Should the severity increase, DE and IDPH will issue additional communications to schools recommending a shift to the "increased severity" recommendations.
Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Institutions of Higher Education
- The toolkit contains samples of the following:
- Question and answer documents
- Factsheets for students, faculty and staff
- Posters that can be displayed in college/university facilities
- Template informational letters and announcements that schools can distribute to students, faculty, staff, and parents
- Text messages for students, faculty, staff, and parents
Resources prepared by IDPH:
Environmental cleaning and disinfection resources for influenza, including:
Influenza A (H1N1) Fact Sheet for Higher Education
Additional Resources
Child Care Resources for Novel Influenza A (H1N1)
- IDPH has also developed recommendations for Child Care Businesses in partnership with the Iowa Department of Human Services.
Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Guidance for Businesses
- IDPH has also developed recommendations Iowa businesses in partnership with the Safeguard Iowa Partnership.
For additional information:
Contact the toll-free Influenza Hotline at 1-800-447-1985, or
Use the "Contact Us" page to submit questions online.
