Information About Handling H1N1 (swine flu)
As Girl Scouts begin to meet and attend events again this fall, questions regarding H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) can be expected. Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council is taking steps based on guidelines established by local health departments and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The safety of girls is the council’s top priority.

We ask parents not to have their child attend Girl Scout events or troop meetings if she is experiencing any of the following symptoms or is otherwise not feeling well and that they let their Girl Scout leader know that their daughter will not be in attendance:

• Body aches
• Fever over 100 degrees
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Possible vomiting and diarrhea
• Respiratory congestion
 
The same advice goes for our volunteers. If you are experiencing or caring for someone experiencing the aforementioned symptoms, you should stay home from troop meetings and events as well.
GSBDC recognizes that H1N1 is contagious for 24 hours before people have symptoms. While the potential of exposure can be minimized, protection cannot be guaranteed. Parents who have children at greater risk for complications associated with influenza-like illness, should talk to their child's physician and make decisions in the best interest of their child. GSBDC encourages parents and troop/group adults to talk with their girls about simple steps everyone can take to stay healthy during flu season, including:

• Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash hands often with soap and hot water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if sick. The CDC recommends staying home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
                                                                                                                   
GSBDC also asks parents to notify their troop leader if your daughter has a confirmed case and has recently participated in a Girl Scout troop meeting or event. GSBDC asks troop leaders to inform the council of any confirmed H1N1 cases in members of their group (girls and adult volunteers) and to keep the council staff informed if they notice decreased attendance from activities due to the flu. At this time, no confirmed cases have been reported by our members.

We encourage our members to stay tuned to our Web site as the situation continues to evolve and to utilize the CDC’s Web site at www.cdc.gov for the latest information. If you have any further questions regarding H1N1, please contact your local health department.