September 24, 2009

Dear Parent or Guardian:

This letter is to inform you that students or staff in your child’s school have reported influenza-like illness.

The North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District continues to coordinate its efforts to monitor students sent home from school and those absent from school with Influenza-Like Illness (ILI): a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, with cough and/or a sore throat. Symptoms of influenza-like illness also include muscle aches, or fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. You should check your child for these symptoms each morning before sending them to school.

If your child has a health condition (such as asthma, diabetes, lung or heart problems [or is pregnant]) you should contact their health care provider for instructions, especially if your child develops influenza symptoms.

Each family should have a plan in place in the event that their child becomes ill with influenza-like illness.

Click here for the most recent MDH guidelines for how long to keep your child at home.