H1N1 Flu Virus Announcment: Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is collaborating with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to monitor the H1N1 virus (swine flu) situation in the country and locally in Fairfax County. Please visit the FCPS website page for more information, http://www.fcps.edu/news/swineflu.htm.
The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) are working together to support the Student Illness Monitoring System (SIMS) to track certain communicable diseases. This system has been in place since 2005. The system allows for a daily review of absentee information to monitor for an increase in gastrointestinal and/or influenza like illnesses. Monitoring these illnesses on a daily basis allows for early identification and intervention.
When calling into the attendance line, please provide specific information about your child's reason for absence. If your child is ill, please be specific as to a physician’s diagnosis such as strep throat or pink eye. If your child has not seen a physician, please be specific about the symptoms your child is having such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, or vomiting. We hope that this program, combined with systems already in place to safeguard your children and school community, will enhance our understanding of certain communicable diseases.
If you have any questions about this monitoring program, please call your school public health nurse Anne Hunter, RN at 703-923-5210.
