4 June 2009

Dear Parents

Health Notification – Influenza A (H1N1) (“Swine Flu”) Pandemic

Over the last two days I have received a great deal of information from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education regarding Influenza A (H1N1) “Swine Flu”. I have also had personal conversations with a local GP and our Health Nurse. As a result, I feel I must pass on to you this important information as we prepare for this pandemic.

The bullet points below are quoted from official documents sent to school this week.

· At this stage all evidence suggests that it will be a matter of when, rather than if; the virus appears in our community!

· It is different from the SARS and Bird Flu in that this virus is extremely contagious.

· Schools will be amongst the first affected when the Swine Flu virus starts to spread.

· Schools will be closed immediately if there is a suspected outbreak. This could be individual schools or schools in a whole town/area.

· If a child has returned from travel overseas then there is a requirement that they must stay at home for 7 days before returning to school. This requirement is effective from now on regardless if they have symptoms or not.

· If a school or early childhood service was directed to close it could happen very fast. Students will be sent home at the end of the day and told not to return.

Preparedness

· Children will be instructed this week by myself and the Health Nurse on initial precautions
- washing hands with soap at least 20 seconds washing and 20 seconds drying.
- sneezing or coughing into their elbow or cover with a tissue
- staying away if they are unwell
- put used tissues in a rubbish bin
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth – this is how it is spread.

· Parents contact details must be accurate. If you have had a change to any details recently, please inform the school office as soon as possible.

· Parents should now think about provisions for child care if the school was to close.

· It would pay to have an adequate supply of paracetamol, food and activities that will keep children amused as they will not be able to have contact with other people.

· Only one person in the house should be attending another sick family member.

· Janola wipes should be used to clean door handles, toilet seats. telephones and light switches etc.

· If your child(ren) is unwell they must be kept at home and not return to school until they have fully recovered.

· My conversations with the medical fraternity, are suggesting a person may be unwell for up to 3 weeks with this flu.

Obviously we need to strike a balance at this stage between being well informed and being well prepared and not being to too alarmist.

I will keep you updated as information comes to hand.

Please discuss good hygiene habits, particularly those mentioned in this notice, with your children.

DAVE HAWKEY - Principal