Please distribute immediately to Camp Administrator, Operator, Medical Director, Health Staff and Other Camp Staff as Appropriate

This document provides interim guidance to day and overnight camps to reduce the spread of Novel Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) virus and to help camps identify an illness outbreak and limit its impact by preventing additional cases of illness. These recommendations are based on continuously evolving information that suggests most cases of illness from this virus are similar in severity to seasonal influenza. However, recommendations may need to be revised as more information becomes available. BACKGROUND Since April 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working with the World Health Organization (WHO), state, city, and local officials to conduct an ongoing investigation of a nationwide outbreak of human cases of H1N1 infection. This is a novel influenza A virus that has not been identified in people before, and human-to-human transmission of the virus appears to be ongoing here in Erie County. Currently available information on disease severity continues to show that most U.S. cases have not been severe and are comparable in severity to seasonal influenza. However, a small percentage of individuals have developed severe illness; and, some unfortunately have died. CDC, New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) officials will continue to closely monitor the severity and spread of this H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak. Camps play a critical role in protecting the health of their campers, staff, and the community from contagious diseases such as H1N1. Children appear to be very susceptible to infection with this new virus, and camps may serve as an amplification point for spread of this new virus in a community. At this time, the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in camps is to