Swine Flu update- 23/10/2009 ATW/lt 23rd October 2009
Dear Parents / Guardians
I regret to inform you that a child in Year 7 has been diagnosed as having the Influenza A/H1N1 virus or ‘swine flu’ and a number of children in her class are also unwell.
The Nursery will remain open during half term and we expect to reopen the main school after half-term as the latest expert scientific advice is that individual school and nursery closures to stop the spread of disease are of limited benefit. National guidance has been updated so that school and nursery closures are likely now only in exceptional circumstances or if we are unable to provide safe staffing levels due to illness among teachers.
The most important advice is that children and young people who have flu-like symptoms should stay away from school or nursery, and as far as possible, not mix with others until they have recovered and are free of symptoms. This is to avoid spreading the infection as much as possible.
Sources of advice and support
If you think your child has swine flu you can contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 15 13 100 or at www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk. They will check symptoms and may suggest a course of anti-viral drug treatment. This is designed to reduce the symptoms and help a quicker recovery. Contacts of infected children who do not have symptoms, including brothers and sisters, can still go to school /nursery as usual.
Certain groups are advised to contact their doctor if they think they have swine flu, rather than contacting the National Pandemic Flu Service. These are: adults and children with serious underlying health conditions, pregnant women, children under one year of age, adults and children whose condition suddenly gets worse, or children whose condition is still getting worse after 5 days (7 days for an adult).
Anti-viral medication is now being used for the treatment of people with symptoms of flu-like illness, and not to prevent the spread of infection. Therefore, anti-viral drugs are no longer being routinely given to children who are contacts of cases but otherwise well.
It’s important to point out that most people who have swine flu make a quick recovery at home. However, you should do what you can to prevent the infection from being spread to others by ensuring your family take some simple precautions:
- Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
- Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face or to other people.
- Cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
- Making sure your children follow this advice.
If you would like further advice please contact either NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit the HPA website (http://www.hpa.org.uk), which includes advice for parents and carers of children:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1247816586652.
If you want further information on who will be offered swine flu vaccination, please visit the Department of Health website:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/InformationandGuidance/Vaccinationprogramme/index.htm
I hope you and your family stay healthy and are able to enjoy the half-term break.
Yours sincerely
Agnes T Williams
Headmistress
|