Swine Flu Up-date
Thursday, August 26, 2010

UPDATED ADVICE FOR FOR SCHOOLS REGARDING SWINE FLU
Change in Policy

On the 1st July 2009 the Government announced important changes to the way it is managing the swine flu pandemic in the UK. The UK is formally moving from a “containment” to a “treatment” phase for swine flu.
This means efforts to contain swine flu,ie “automatic” school closures will end. Therefore, the presumption should be that schools will remain open, even if there are swine flu cases within the local pupil or staff population. There is no need to cancel trips or visits for staff, pupils or other services. It would be helpful for schools to make parents aware that they should continue to send their children to school (even if there have been cases of Swine Flu at the school) — unless the pupils themselves have any symptoms of flu.

Implications

The shift to a treatment phase means that, as of today, GPs will diagnose swine flu on the basis of patients’ symptoms rather than waiting for laboratory testing. The routine tracing of people who have come into contact with confirmed cases of swine flu will end. Schools will close only if local circumstances warrant it, for example if a significant number of pupils or teachers are ill or if a high proportion of vulnerable pupils are particularly at risk. In these cases please discuss first with the Local Authority and follow the normal School Closure procedures.

The situation with vulnerable pupils may occur particularly in Special Schools. If so, Special Schools should liaise with the Local Authority who, in turn, will seek to work with the Health Protection Agency to make a risk assessment.

If a mainstream school has vulnerable children then the parents of the vulnerable children should be advised that there are other children absent with a flu like illness, so that they may contact their GPs for further advice. There is no requirement, generally, to notify all parents of the presence of Swine Flu at the school, but this is a matter for your judgment.

There is no longer a need to advise the Local Authority of individual incidents of suspected or confirmed Swine Flu within your school. However, where lots of pupils are absent Headteachers are advised to contact the Local Authority, who will liaise with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to just check that there is not some other virus causing sickness. This would be along the lines of outbreak management that the HPA do already.

The way in which antiviral medicines are used will also change. They will no longer be given to completely healthy people simply to slow the spread of swine flu. They will be used for prevention only on the advice of a doctor in high-risk groups (for example, people with long-term conditions, children under five and pregnant women). You should closely monitor pupils or staff who meet this criteria. People with flu like symptoms should remain at home and contact NHS Direct or their local GP. If treatment is advised by the General Practitioner, a flu friend who has no symptoms should collect an authorisation letter from the practice and take it to the pharmacy specified by the GP.

What are the Symptoms of Swine Flu?

Symptoms are typically a high temperature and at least two other symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose, joint pain and headache.

What advice should I give to Parents / Carers and Staff who think they have swine flu?

Tell them to stay at home and call the local GP.
If the GP confirms swine flu by telephone, they will be given a letter of authorisation entitling them to anti-viral medication.

Reduce the risk of catching or spreading flu

It would be helpful for you to reiterate to pupils to:
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue.
• Dispose of used tissues carefully.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
• Clean hard surfaces (eg kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

Contacts

If you have any queries regarding how Swine Flu please call 08001 513 513 or visit ww.direct.gov.uk/swineflu. More information is also available on the HPA website at www.hpa.org.uk or the dedicated schools helpline number of 0121 352 5078.

 

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