H1N1 Flu Virus information available to community

News about the H1N1 flu virus continues to be reported throughout the country. This is a community concern and, because hundreds of students gather in schools each day, it is a school system concern as well. Carteret County Public School System administrators are working closely with Carteret County Health Department as they monitor the situation and collect more information.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has produced a flyer titled and linked here - Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents.

Carteret County Health Department has set up a Flu Information Line. The automated line has recorded messages about availability of seasonal flu vaccine at the health department, information about H1N1 flu and vaccine, plus tips on staying healthy this flu season. The information line number is 252-728-8432.

Students and staff members should continue to attend school or work unless they are sick, as is the case anytime of the school year. Students and staff members must be fever free for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications, before returning to school or work.

All citizens, including children, should take steps to reduce the spread of seasonal or any type flu. Those include:
washing hands frequently using soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds (that's about as long as it takes for children to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice);
covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing and sneezing into the inside of the elbow/sleeve;
using hand sanitizers - gels, rubs and hand wipes work well as long as they contain 60 percent alcohol;
keeping hands away from mouths, noses and eyes; and
refraining from sharing personal items such as towels, razors, bars of soap, etc.

The H1N1 flu can not be spread by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork products.

H1N1 flu and seasonal flu information can be viewed by visiting http://flu.nc.gov/epi/gcdc/flu.html

Information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control, 1-800-CDC-INFO or www.cdc.gov

Information in English and Spanish can also be found by calling the NC Care Line at 1-800-662-7030.

The Carteret County Public School System strives to maintain a safe, secure environment for our county's students. We need the support of our community and our parents to continue to do this. Please be diligent in recognizing symptoms of the flu and seeking immediate medical attention. This will help maintain a healthy community and healthy schools.

For additional information, please contact the Carteret County Health Department at 252-728-8550.