Middletown Township Schools Taking Extra Precautions Against Enterovirus

The Office of the District Director of Operations for Middletown Township Public Schools has notified students and parents about extra precautions the district is taking in the fight against a possible enterovirus outbreak.

In a notice posted to the district website, parents are reassured that Middletown Township Public School nurses are on “constant surveillance” of any heavy cold symptoms students or staff may present, including coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever or wheezing. Students presenting these symptoms are referred to nurses for examination.

Staff members are also following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institute of Health Guidelines, according to the posted letter. Alongside students, staff members are using protocols such as frequent hand washing and sanitiing throughout the day, including hand sanitizing upon arrival, at lunchtime, after bathroom breaks, and ”anytime throughout the day as needed”, in an effective way to prevent the spread of germs.

The district has also placed its custodial staff on high alert, and say that custodians are “diligent” in disinfecting the schools daily, including handrails, doorknobs, surface areas and table tops, using a EPA-approved list of cleaning products known to kill virus, germs, and bacteria associated with norovirus and enterovirus. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website has a list of commercial cleaning products that parents can also use in their homes, available at: www.epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm.

The school district has encouraged parents, students, and staff members to follow these important CDC guidelines in preventing the spread of viruses and germs this flu season:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact (kissing, touching, sharing eating utensils and shaking hands) with people who are sick
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as door knobs and toys
• Stay home when sick and call your healthcare provider
• Use good respiratory hygiene; coughing and sneezing into a tissue or elbow and properly disposing of tissues

All Nurses throughout the district have been instructed to report any suspected cases to Head Nurse Natalie Bopp. In addition, school nurses must report any suspected cases to the County Office for follow-up with contacts of the individuals reportedly suspected. After follow-up, the Monmouth County Office reports confirmed cases to the State.

On October 6, 2014 the Middletown Township Public School District received notification from the Monmouth County Board of Health that there are currently no confirmed cases in Monmouth County.

For up-to-date listing of states with confirmed EV-D68 cases, go to the CDC’s website:
http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/EV-D68.html?s_cid=cdc_homepage_whatsnew_001