Little League International Issues Statement Regarding Swine Flu Outbreak

By Communications Division
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
April 30, 2009

The message below has been provided via e-mail to local league and district officers for whom Little League International has e-mail addresses. It is dated April 30, 2009.

Dear Little League Volunteers:

This message is to let you know that we have received several inquiries from volunteers regarding the recent swine flu outbreak.

We encourage our volunteers to closely monitor the situation in their specific community and to be prepared to act in accordance with recommendations or directives issued by their local or state health departments.

On Wednesday, April 29, all school athletic activities in Texas were postponed until May 11 because of the outbreak. Today in Alabama, a similar measure was taken and is in effect until further notice. In addition, some schools in those and other states have been closed by local or state health departments as a result of students testing positive for the swine flu virus.

Schools may have advisories available by e-mail, phone, on-line, etc., regarding the status of the outbreak in that area. We encourage volunteers to ask their local school districts to keep them advised of any actions on the local or state level that may help them, in turn, make decisions regarding the local Little League’s activities.

We suggest that one of the best measures local volunteers can take at this time is to urge all parents to exercise good judgment regarding attendance at practices and games.  If their Little Leaguer or another family member appears to have flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue), they should stay home and schedule an appointment with their primary care physician.

For the most up to date and authoritative information, treatment and prevention of this illness, please visit the following websites. 

World Health Organization (WHO) Website:  http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Website:  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_001

WHO Swine Influenza Q&A Document:  http://www.who.int/csr/swine_flu/swine_flu_faq.pdf

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy*

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with ill people.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

*Source:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Volunteers outside the U.S. are encouraged to seek similar information from the appropriate national or provincial health officials.

At this time, there is no plan to alter arrangements for the Little League International Tournament that will be played this summer. Little League International will continue to monitor the situation, and will issue advisories as needed.
 
Sincerely,

Little League International