Conclusions
These findings suggest that brief breaks of in-person schooling, such as
planned breaks lasting 9-16 calendar days, can effectively reduce
influenza in schools and community spread. Additional analyses
investigating the impact of well-timed shorter breaks on a-ILI may
determine an optimal duration for brief school closures to effectively
suppress community transmission of influenza.
Keywords: influenza; respiratory infection; viral surveillance;
school breaks; K-12; student absenteeism