Protecting Kids from H1N1 at Camp

The H1N1 virus, according to researchers, has similarities to the 1918 flu pandemic virus, which may help create immunity in older populations, but leave younger people vulnerable to getting H1N1.

As summer camp season continues, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 52 camps are known to have been infected with the virus. CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton reported this is particularly worrsome for summer camps specializing in kids with certain illnesses.

Ashton reported on "The Early Show" Tuesday that more children are spending less time outdoors and more time at home or in isolation this summer, due to HqNq..

One camp in Missouri, Ashton reported, was closed down for a week after campers and staff got sick. And camps designed for kids with special health concerns, such as asthma, closed down, she said, before any campers arrived due to the flu's spread and their elevated risk.

Dr. Jeffrey Boscamp, pediatric infectious diseases expert at Hackensack University Medical Center, explained to CBS News that children in camps are in close quarters and have a "limited ability to wash their hands."

At Blue Star Camp in North Carolina, two campers tested positive for the virus, and now it's believed 35 of its 650 campers are infected.

The infected campers were isolated and put on anti-viral medication after experiencing flu-like symptoms. The owner and director of the camp, Rodger Popkin, told CBS News the children were quarantined from the others to stop the spread.

But what can you do to help prevent your children from getting the H1N1 virus this summer at camp?

Ashton said the CDC recommends all camps participate in active screening. Ashton said you needn't be alarmed if your child's camp asks if your child has experienced any flu-like symptoms in the past seven days. She added, "Be honest."

If you learn your child is infected with swine flu, Ashton recommended communicating with the camp about what you should do.

From a public health perspective, Ashton said, it might actually be better to keep the child isolated and quarantined at camp until your child's flu symptoms pass, rather than bring them home and expose them to more people.

Ashton said the basic precautions, such as hand-washing, apply whether your child is attending day camp or any other kind of camp setting.

"(The flu is) highly contagious, but mild," she said.

Ashton also addressed the trend among parents who want their child to be exposed to the virus, so they will be immune.

She told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith, "I don't think we're seeing H1N1 parties, yet, but the immune principle applies. If you get it now, you tend to be protected, and possibly for the fall (season)."

From the CDC:
- There isn't a required reporting process - from anecdotal accounts: 52 outbreaks in 20 states
- Normally, influenza is not an issue this time of year (Flu season: Oct-May)
- Make sure the camp has a plan and know what it is.
- Camps are being "prudent" by asking questions of the kids' health -- isolation has been a good thing in containing the outbreaks.

What's the latest on H1N1?
- Researchers say that the strain looks similar to the 1918 flu pandemic virus -- those who experienced the 1918 pandemic may have immunity -- which might explain WHY people over 65 are less likely to get it than younger people.
- New (animal) study says this virus can impact the lungs more than the common flu. Tests in monkeys, ferrets and mice found that it thrives in the respiratory system
- World Health Organization gave drug makers a full go-ahead to manufacture vaccines -- said healthcare workers should be the first to get one
- Curren CDC #: 37,246 cases/211 deaths

H1N1 symptoms:
The symptoms of novel 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. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

General Infection Control Recommendations for camps from the CDC:
- Encourage all persons to effectively cover their cough or sneeze and use good hand hygiene.
- Hand washing facilities including running water and liquid hand soap should be readily accessible; alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be used if hands are not visibly soiled.
-Plan ahead to ensure that enough alcohol-based hand sanitizers are available for situations where it is known that hand washing facilities may not available, for example during hikes.
- Clean all areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact (like doorknobs, faucets, handrails) routinely (e.g., daily, before/after meals, as needed) and also immediately when visibly soiled; use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas; it is not necessary to conduct disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond routine cleaning.

Reduction of Risk of Introduction of Novel H1N1 Virus into the Camp Setting:
- Provide camp attendees, staff and volunteers with materials prior to arrival at the camp to notify them that they are not allowed to attend camp if they have had an influenza-like illness (ILI) in the 7 days prior to the start of the camp. In addition, they should be reminded that if they have been exposed to a person with novel H1N1 or ILI in the 7 days prior to the start of camp, they may attend camp but should closely self-monitor and report development of ILI symptoms immediately.
- Consider active screening of ALL newly arriving camp attendees, staff and volunteers by asking if they have had any symptoms of ILI in the previous 7 days. Provide education to individual campers about reporting ILI. A careful health history of each arriving camper should be taken. Note any conditions that may place them at high risk for complications of influenza.
- Camp attendees, staff and volunteers should be instructed to immediately inform camp management if they currently have or have had an influenza-like illness (ILI) in the 7 days prior to arrival.
- Persons who currently have or have had ILI in the previous 7 days should not attend camp for 7 days after their symptoms began or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.