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Planning for a Flu Epidemic in Child Care

As many as 40,000 people in the U.S. die of flu each year, mostly the elderly and children younger than 2. With health experts now warning of a possible pandemic flu, child care centers play a key role in maintaining children's health. Learn what actions you can take now to be prepared.

"Each winter, seasonal flu kills approximately 36,000-40,000 Americans, hospitalizes more than 200,000 and costs the U.S. economy over $10 billion in lost productivity and direct medical expenses." -- World Health Organization (WHO)

As staggering as the WHO figures are regarding seasonal flu, health experts are now warning about a far more lethal virus -- a pandemic flu that could kill more than half a million people in the U.S., hospitalize two million more, and cost the U.S. economy an estimated $70-$160 billion.

In contrast to the short stay of seasonal flu, a pandemic flu may come and go in waves, each of which can last for six to eight weeks. An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss.

In the event of pandemic influenza, businesses will play a vital part in protecting employees' health and safety, as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. In addition, child care centers can play a key role in maintaining children's health.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Chamber of Commerce are excellent resources of information about how businesses should prepare for and react to a pandemic flu outbreak. Action items include providing sufficient and accessible infection control supplies (e.g. hand-hygiene products, tissues and disposal receptacles).

The following tips may serve as a checklist for child care directors and staff in the event of a serious seasonal flu or pandemic flu outbreak.

1) Define Standards of Cleaning by Area
The national health and safety performance cleaning standards offer good guidance. Guidelines should be established for properly designating and cleaning high-traffic and high-density work areas.

Depending on the level of risk of infection, we can designate the areas within our work place as:

• critical
• semi-critical
• non-critical care.

2) Use the Appropriate Product
In high-risk areas such as bathrooms and classrooms, special attention must be paid -- as always -- to the spread of bacteria from urine, feces, saliva and sputum. In general, Green Seal Certified Products should be used for general cleaning, with EPA registered disinfectants as needed.

Cleaning products with low volatile organic compounds should be chosen to reduce the potential for air quality problems.

3) Staff Pre-Service and In-service
At all times, but especially during a flu outbreak, all child care staff must be trained so that the appropriate chemical and process are carried out in the appropriate area. The key to full compliance is good training.

4) Monitor Your Efforts
During a flu outbreak, it is important to evaluate facility cleaning activities often to ensure any new protocol adopted to reduce infection is adhered to and all staff members are educated on the new interim policy. Our commitment to the safety of our children, staff and Mother Earth demonstrates our commitment to the success of our child care center and public health.

Learn more about seasonal flu at: www.hhs.gov/flu/. For additional information on pandemic flu, visit: www.pandemicflu.gov/general/.

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