LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) today issued recommendations for K-12 school districts and child care facilities concerning closures for Influenza A (H1N1) virus probable and confirmed cases.

MDCH recommends the following:

• Schools or child care facilities that have a confirmed or probable case should be dismissed or closed for seven calendar days from the date the local health department was notified of the positive test result. A school or child care facility can consider reopening if no additional confirmed or probable cases have been identified within the seven-day period, but should re-evaluate this with the local health department.
• Siblings of individuals with confirmed or probable cases should remain at home and not attend their school or child care facility during this same seven-day period, especially if they attend a different school or facility.
• If a school or child care facility closes, school or child care-related gatherings should also be canceled for the same seven-day period. Parents and students are encouraged to avoid congregating in large numbers outside of the school setting.

These recommendations are flexible and scaleable. Superintendents have the authority to make decisions for their jurisdictions but should work directly with their local public health officers.

MDCH recommendations differ slightly from the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MDCH modified the CDC guidance concerning non-ill siblings and the length of the closure time period to better address Michigan's situation.

MDCH recommendations are subject to change as new information becomes available.

All updates to provide Michigan residents with accurate and timely information on the human outbreak of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, as well as updates on the state's actions to protect residents, are available at www.michigan.gov/swineflu.

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