|
|||||
|
Pandemic Updates SWIS: Pandemic Update 1 16 June 2009
Families will undoubtedly be aware of the recent identification of cases of the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) in schools. The SWIS management and Board of Trustees have been kept up to date by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education as well as Regional Public Health. At the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday evening (15 June) the school pandemic plan was discussed and updated according to the latest information and I wanted families to be aware of this.
Virus transmission:
There are many viral illness circulating at this time of year. If your child is ill please keep them at home, if you are concerned about their health contact your doctor by telephone initially or ring Healthline 0800 611 116.
One of the best ways of reducing transmission of any viral illness is by good hygiene. · Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
· Use tissues, rather than your hand to capture respiratory secretions, and dispose of the tissues in the nearest rubbish bin after use
· Wash your hands with soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic handwash after sneezing or blowing your nose Current advice re travel:
With term holidays approaching and a number of families planning to travel, both overseas and around NZ, South Wellington Intermediate School is aware of the threat posed by the swine flu epidemic, particularly the risk posed by travellers returning as potential carriers. At this stage, the Ministry of Health’s advice is that if staff and students are well and symptom free after returning from an affected area overseas they can return to school and do not need to remain at home for any period after arriving back in the country, or back to the home city. However, this may change in the coming weeks and families need to plan for this possibility. The risk is that if an infected student returns to school and is in contact with other students and staff for even a day, the whole school could be closed for a week. The school Board of Trustees asks you to carefully monitor your family’s health closely as you return from overseas, or your trip within New Zealand, and if there are even the slightest flu symptoms, do not send your son or daughter back to school until you have first telephoned to check with your doctor, or alternatively check through the MOH Healthline 0800 611 116.
The Ministry of Health website has daily updates: http://www.moh.govt.nz/influenza-a-h1n1
The SWIS management team and Board of Trustees will be monitoring the situation on a daily basis and will be guided by Public Health directives. If there are any urgent updates – information will be placed on the school website and families will be contacted in the most efficient way possible. This is a timely reminder to ensure that your daytime contact details are current - please update any changes to your phone numbers with the school office on 939-9872.
Dr Lynn McBain – Chair, SWIS Board of Trustees |
| @ Copyright 2005 South Wellington Intermediate School |