Summer's here, and health officials are reporting outbreaks of H1N1 swine flu (now also called "novel flu") throughout kids' summer camps in North America.
Just like schools made their decisions to close down once they confirmed a child or staff member had acquired swine flu, the managers of summer camps have the same decision to make. Should they stay open and risk infection of more campers and staff? Or should they close and risk loss of income?
Parents are asking themselves whether they should send their children to a camp where the germs are known to be.
There are no easy answers. The American Camp Association simply refers parents to the CDC's website which does make recommendations for summer camp.
The State of Minnesota Health Department has done a great job of outlining the issues that surround swine flu and summer camp. Parents can find information at its website about day camps, overnight camps, and camps for kids with chronic conditions.
Even if you don't live in Minnesota, or send your child to a camp in Minnesota, the information can be helpful. If you live in another state and what to know if recommendations are different there, you can try doing a search using your state's name, plus the term "summer camp." Not all states have made information available.
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