The administrative staff at Green Mountain Running Camp would like to update you with regards to the recent epidemic of H1N1 flu virus and how it may affect camp this year. In acknowledging the spread and nature of this disease we must attempt to balance our response with regard to both the public health and the benefits of the camp experience.
| |
Briefly, H1N1 is an influenza virus spread primarily by respiratory means, although it is not known just how easily it is spread. The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The contagious period is from 24 hours prior to the outbreak of symptoms, to 7 days after the onset of symptoms, or 24 hours after the symptoms cease, whichever time frame is longer.
We will be referencing this site to guide our policies here at GMRC in order to protect our campers to the best of our ability.
With this information in mind we ask that you monitor your child's health prior to leaving for camp. In the 24 hours before leaving for camp we ask that you assess the camper by noting whether the child has had:
► an oral temperature greater than 100.0
► cough or sore throat, or symptoms as listed above
► complained of feeling achy and fatigued
If the answer to the above questions are 'yes' then your child should not come to camp until he/she has met the criteria listed above for no longer being contagious.
Green Mountain Running Camp is taking a proactive stance in protecting the public health, and camper health. In doing so, all influenza-like illnesses will be treated alike.
To this end, we will screen each camper on admission to camp for signs and symptoms of recent ILI (influenza-like illness) and have developed a plan of action should the response be positive. If this is the case, the camper will be asked to self-isolate while we contact the parent and make arrangements for the camper to return home. If a camper becomes ill with an ILI during his stay at camp the same actions will be taken. We will conduct a brief information session regarding this flu epidemic at the first assembly on Day 1 of camp, reviewing proper hygiene measures, signs and symptoms of the flu, and availability of nursing staff should they have any questions/concerns. We will err on the side of caution to protect your child's health. Camp nursing staff are monitoring the CDC website for updates on this pandemic and will continue to do so. We encourage you to do so as well.
If you have any questions/concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.
|
|
