The Australian Government has declared a new phase in the response to the H1N1 (Human Swine Flu) influenza response, known as PROTECT. The change in approach has occurred because the virus strain is not as virulent as first thought and the focus is now on minimising the transmission of the virus among those at greater risk of complications.
The key points of this phase for schools are:
any student or staff member who has been excluded from school because of travel, and is currently well, can return to school immediately
any student or staff member who has been placed in quarantine by public health authorities because of ill health should maintain their quarantine until they are well
any student or staff member who is unwell with flu-like symptoms should remain at home and seek medical advice from their doctor, and
Boarding schools and schools catering mainly for children with special needs remain at greater risk with respect to an outbreak of influenza (of all strains) and additional hygiene precautions should still be taken in such environments.
Please click on the link below to open a Letter to Principals from the NSW Department of Health which provides more detailed advice, including an Information Sheet for parents and staff, about the PROTECT phase of the response. This advice can also be viewed and downloaded from the AIS website at www.aisnsw.edu.au under ‘What’s New?’.
For more information about Human Swine Flu and other influenza viruses, including daily advice and updates, go to www.health.nsw.gov.au or contact the Swine Flu Hotline on 180 2007.
Yours sincerely
Dr Geoff Newcombe
Executive Director
AIS