THE H1N1 VIRUS AND EDUCATIONBy: Aaron Tuuk

THE VIRUS AND SCHOOLS TODAY

Many schools have been effected

Major concern for families and school districts alike

Author: massdistraction; February 21, 2007

WHAT IS THE H1N1 VIRUS?

The H1N1 Virus is a new form of the influenza virus

The influenza virus causes flu like symptoms and usually happen seasonally

Author: AjC1; May 2, 2009

WHEN, WHERE…NOW?

The first case of the H1N1 strand of influenza in the United States was diagnosed in April 2009

The rapid spread of the virus is causing a pandemic and has reached global proportion

Author: John LeGear; July 2, 2007

WHY IS IT CALLED “SWINE FLU?”

Researchers believed that the genes in the H1N1 virus were very similar to those found in the influenza virus found in pigs (swine) in North America

Author: The Pug Father; March 20, 2007

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Federal health officials originally told schools to shut down if there were any confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus

Author: Dean Terry; June 10, 2005

HOW BAD DID IT GET?

May 1, 2009- 435 Schools Closed

May 5, 2009- 726 Schools Closed

Virus reached 24 states and the District of Columbia

Author: nDevilTV; May 1, 2009

AT WHAT COST?

School closings caused disruption of standardized testing which effected state-federal accountability

“No Child Left Behind”

New research suggests that a nation wide school closing could cost the U.S. up to $47 billion

Author: borman818 February 6, 2009

FEDERAL OPINION

May 5, 2009-Federal officials changed their opinion after they realized the virus was more milder than first realized

Author: dcJohn; January 4, 2005

H1N1 VACCINE

Vaccine has been controversial

Little has been proven about its effectiveness

Author: Madmoiselle Lavender; October 20, 2009

VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS

Can cause mild flu like symptoms

Can cause itchy/sore red eyes

Author: diabolikkitsuney; August 23, 2007

SCHOOLS TODAY

Schools today are not told to commit to a total shut down if a single student contracts the virus

Schools are just told to take precautionary measures including the emphasis on washing hands and other mild sanitation

Author: cafemama; April 2, 2006

RESOURCES

“School Closings for Flu Could be Expensive,” Thomas H. Maugh II, LATimes.com

"Swine Flu Disruption Has School Officials Looking for Lessons,” Erik Robelen, FirstSearch.org

"H1N1 Flu & U.S. Schools: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions,” The U.S. Department of Education, FirstSearch.org

All Images are from Flickr.com