Flu-Related School Closures: Trends and Impact

School-aged children and schools have a big role in spreading influenza in communities. Closing schools before the flu is widespread can help slow down this spread. However, closing schools after the illness is already high is not as effective.

In earlier research, it was found that unplanned School Closures happen often in the US, mostly due to severe weather or natural disasters. Illness-related closures are less common but are still significant. Many of these closures are due to respiratory illnesses, with the pattern of closures following the national flu activity.

This study looks closely at the patterns of school closures related to flu-like illnesses in the US over eleven school years from 2011 to 2022. It compares the years before the COVID-19 pandemic and those affected by the pandemic. The study examines how these closures relate to flu activity data collected nationwide.

#Data Collection Method

From August 2011 to June 2022, researchers searched online resources to find information on unplanned school closures for kindergarten through twelfth grade across the US. They tracked closures based on official announcements that mentioned flu or flu-like illnesses as the reason for the closure. They left out closures related to COVID-19 when flu was not mentioned.

The researchers gathered information about the schools and districts from national education data sources, including numbers of schools, students, and staff. They made sure to focus only on relevant districts and schools for the analysis, leaving out those that didn't fit eligibility criteria.

Data on national flu activity, including outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms and hospitalizations, were also collected during this period.

#Data Management and Analysis

The collected data were organized and analyzed using statistical software. Researchers summarized information about school closures, looking at reasons, timing, and locations. They studied patterns of illness-related closures and compared them to seasonal flu data.

To understand the relationship between school closures and flu activity, they calculated how closely related the two were during flu seasons. They excluded the last week of the year from the analysis, as schools are typically closed for winter break during that time.

A total of 2,077 school closures related to flu-like illnesses were identified between 2011 and 2022. Before the pandemic, there was an average of 224 closures per school year. In contrast, during the pandemic years, the number dropped to about 29 closures each year.

Most often, school closures were due to high Absenteeism among students and staff caused by illness.

#Annual School Closure Patterns

Between 2011 and 2020, almost 9,136 school closures affected an estimated 4.1 million students and 260,000 teachers. A large portion of these closures occurred in certain regions, particularly HHS Region 4, which had the highest number of reported closures.

The relationship between school closures and flu activity varied across regions, with some regions showing moderate correlations while others did not. Over the years, the researchers noticed trends in the timing of closures, often occurring shortly after the winter break when flu activity typically increased.

In the 2019-2020 season, a notable spike in flu activity was observed, leading to more school closures. However, this season was also marked by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a shift in school closure patterns.

#Impact of COVID-19 on School Closures

During the two school years following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022), there were fewer school closures related to flu-like illnesses. Most closures during this time were also connected to COVID-19. Interestingly, the closures in 2020-2021 were longer than in previous years.

Flu activity did not exceed the national baseline during the 2020-2021 school year, which was unusual. In 2021-2022, while flu activity was higher, the number of closures remained far lower than before the pandemic.

Schools responded to the pandemic by introducing a mix of learning options, including hybrid and virtual learning, to reduce contact among students. The return to in-person learning in 2021-2022 allowed for better flu tracking and increased the number of closures.

#Conclusions and Recommendations

The analysis reveals a significant connection between school closures and flu activity in the US. Prior to COVID-19, closures typically followed a pattern related to increased flu cases. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted these patterns, leading to fewer closures.

Different years exhibited varied levels of flu activity and the associated school closures. Understanding these trends helps highlight the importance of monitoring flu activity to guide school closure decisions effectively.

Looking ahead, it is essential to explore strategies that can reduce flu transmission in schools. This includes promoting vaccinations, improving air quality in school buildings, and ensuring quick responses to increasing illness among students and staff.

Monitoring school closures related to flu-like illnesses could provide valuable insights for future public health strategies. Developing better reporting systems for school closures could enhance understanding and control of flu outbreaks in the community.

In summary, proactive measures and monitoring of flu activity are crucial for managing school closures. Continued research on the relationship between flu activity and school closures can help improve responses in the future, especially in light of the challenges posed by respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.