Local school systems spent Monday refreshing their plans and procedures in the event of a swine flu pandemic.
D.C. schools put out a mass informational call to students’ families, informing them that no cases have been reported in the Washington area, but the city is working on solutions should any arise.
In Prince George’s County, “the maintenance department has made a point of having extra soap and towels in all of the bathrooms,” said schools spokesman John White.
Districts from Montgomery County to Prince William County spent hours Monday compiling information to send home with families and teachers, informing them of warning signs and how to avoid the potentially fatal illness.
“Stay home if you feel sick, wash your hands, cover your cough,” said Dr. Reuben Varghese, Arlington County’s director of public health.
In Arlington, as throughout the region, schools are working in collaboration with the local health department, the state of Virginia and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to best address a potential disaster.
“Just like with everything else, we need to work with the entire community,” Varghese said.
In a worst-case scenario, schools would use already established pandemic procedures, officials said. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, local and state officials could close public places, such as libraries, or could shut down a school if a student contracted the disease. Resources such as school buses could be used to transport community members to non-infected places or to sites of mass vaccinations.
Both Maryland and Virginia have reported sufficient supplies of anti-flu drugs, such as Tamiflu.
Maryland, which opened a flu command center Monday, has 276,000 doses and will receive 200,000 more from the federal government. Virginia has 770,000 doses, with about 280,000 more to arrive.
So far, the virus is believed responsible for 150 deaths in Mexico. Confirmed cases in the U.S. are expected to grow beyond the current 42, but the swine flu has not caused any fatalities.
