H1N1 Toy Part of CDC's Effort to Educate Young Children

As a reflection of the disproportionate impact that the swine flu is having on young children, the CDC’s gift shop in Atlanta is now selling a Swine Flu Toy-a soft 7 inch model of the virus that can be used by adults to explain H1N1 infection to youngsters.

Children under 5 years are at high risk for complications of the flu; infants younger than 6 months are particularly vulnerable because they are too young to be vaccinated. Infection control measures are difficult in daycare settings because of the close interpersonal contact, shared toys and other objects, and limited ability of young children to practice good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene. The CDC recently released new guidelines meant to reduce the spread of influenza in those who attend or work in early childcare programs (Preparing for the Flu: A Communication ToolKit for Child Care and Early Education Programs). The guidelines detail steps that should be taken now-and strategies to consider if the flu becomes more severe.

A newly released Technical Report from the CDC also outlines defensive actions.