New students enrolling in LISD to be screened for Ebola

Provided by the Lubbock Independent School District

In light of the first confirmed case of Ebola in the state, the Texas School Nurses Organization provided additional guidance regarding screening for the Ebola virus as new students are enrolled in school.

Lubbock ISD has developed new enrollment procedures for schools, which consists of a brief questionnaire to determine if students are at risk of having been exposed to Ebola.

This is a simple and proactive measure to keep students safe.

The incubation period for Ebola is 2 to 21 days after exposure.

Children enrolling in Lubbock ISD who have traveled to one of the countries where Ebola is present within the last 30 days will answer additional questions about their health and contact with potentially infected persons.

The virus is transmitted by contact with bodily fluids.

Infected persons are contagious once symptoms appear, typically the rapid onset of a fever of 101.5°F or higher.

Campus personnel have been trained in blood borne pathogens and universal precautions and should wear gloves anytime they could come into contact with any bodily fluids.

Campus nurses have gloves available for all employees.

Here is a copy of the questionnaire:

Registrar Ebola Questionnaire for New Students

Student's Name ___________________________________________ Date of Birth _________________

School_______________________ Registration Personnel ________________________ Date ________

In light of the first confirmed case of Ebola in Texas, it is important to obtain a credible travel and contact history from students enrolling in Lubbock ISD. Please use the following set of questions before enrolling new students to your campus.

Registrar Questions for Students New to LISD

Yes___No___ Have you lived or traveled outside the United States within the past 30 days?

If the response is No, student may enroll.

If the response is Yes, ask the following question.

1. From what country have you traveled? If parent answers West Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leonne, Guinea, Nigeria, (city of Lagos) or Kenya, proceed to question #2. If they traveled to another country other than those listed, the student may enroll.

2. Yes___ No___ Have you come in contact with, or provided care to, anyone who has been ill during the past 30 days? (If answer is Yes, escort the student and parent/guardian to the school nurse's office. (If answer is No, student may enroll.)

This form is to be placed in student's permanent record file (Brown Envelope)

School Nurse Ebola Questionnaire for New Students

After taking and recording the child's temperature, the nurse will ask the following questions:

Current temperature __________ (Ebola has sudden onset of fever greater than 101.5°F)

Have you experienced any of the following symptoms? If yes, please circle.

Severe headache Muscle pain Diarrhea Vomiting Abdominal (stomach) pain

If student answers, Yes to any of the listed symptoms the nurse will:

_____Call EMS to transport student to the ER of choice.

_____Contact that ER to inform of the transport.

_____ Report information to Student Health Coordinator.

Student Health Coordinator will report information to the surveillance division at the Lubbock Health Department.

Nurse completing assessment: ___________________________________________ Date ____________