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State Issues New Swine Flu Recommendation for Schools

State Issues New Swine Flu Recommendation for Schools
State heath officials have issued new guidelines for schools that have students who become infected with swine flu. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

State heath officials have issued new guidelines for schools that have students who become infected with swine flu. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Schools are considered to be a perfect place for the flu virus to spread. Students are in close contact with one another, and may not keep sneezes and coughs to themselves.

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Dr. Mark Horton directs California's Department of Public Health. He says schools need to be vigilant about keeping swine flu from being passed from child to child. So Horton recommends the following policy.

"If a child is confirmed to have swine flu," Dr. Horton says, "Or is considered a highly suspected case of swine flu, we are recommending closure of the school be considered for at least seven days."

A private school in Mira Mesa has reopened after determining an infected child did not pass swine flu onto teachers.

Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.