Government issues new guidelines for H1N1 flu in schools

(NECN: Washington) – The government says schools should only close this fall if large numbers of students have H1N1 (swine flu), and sick kids could return 24 hours after a fever is gone. The decision on closing rests with local school officials, but they are looking to the federal government for advice about the new flu strain that has caused a global epidemic. The advice on sick kids returning to school is a change from previous recommendations that people with swine flu stay home for a week. As the virus spread to students last spring, more than 700 schools in half the states temporarily closed their doors. The new flu is expected to hit schools again this fall. But the Obama administration is hoping to minimize closings and disruptions they cause for families. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano offered the advice on school closings, while the guidance on students returning came from Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. *Material from The Associated Press used in this report*