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Pandemic Flu

Update Friday 11th September 2009

Over the Summer holidays the DCFS (Department for Children, Families and Schools) has been closely monitoring the spread and severity of swine flu. They have informed the Independent Schools Council of their latest advice. Fortunately the virus has presented itself in a very mild form. However it is still essential that adults or children with flu-like symptoms should stay away until they are free of those symptoms. They should contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513513 or at https:www.pandemic flu.direct.gov.uk/
Here at school we will continue to encourage everyone to follow the basic hygiene practices that can help to prevent flu from spreading. We ask that parents promote these with children at home too.
To reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus you should:
- cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue
- throw the tissue away quickly and carefully
- wash your hands regularly with soap and water
- clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a normal cleaning product

If your child has swine flu
If it is confirmed that your child has swine flu, they should stay at home and you should treat their symptoms like any other cold or flu. Make sure they drink plenty of liquids, get lots of rest and take paracetamol to help control their temperature.
You will be told whether your child should also take antiviral drugs. Antivirals, such as Tamiflu, shorten the symptoms by about a day and can reduce the risk of complications.
However, they can also have side effects. If your child's swine flu symptoms are mild, you may not wish to give them antiviral. Your GP can advise you on this.

Update Friday 19th June 2009

The World Health Organisation has increased its influenza pandemic alert level to 6. This means that there is now evidence of increased and sustained human-to human transmission of the swine flu virus across a number of global regions. There are now 806 confirmed UK cases and we can expect the numbers to increase steadily over the next few weeks and months. Virtually all the cases in the UK so far have been mild.
School will continue to operate as normal, while remaining alert to any child exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Any child who may have flu should stay at home and medical advice should be sought.
Please ensure that parent and carer contact details are up to date by e-mailing any changes to office@dcpskent.org
Please also continue to encourage the children with strict hygiene measures to prevent spread of any infection by frequent hand-washing and the covering of mouths when coughing and/or sneezing. Tissues should be disposed of immediately into a covered bin.

Update Friday 8th May 2009

From Roger Kidney:

Following discussions with Dr. Digby, the School Medical Officer, we would like to update you on the current position regarding the school and the possible outbreak of pandemic swine flu.

We would like to reassure you that our school is not currently at any greater risk than any other school. Our Pandemic Flu Policy was drafted in 2006 in anticipation of an avian flu pandemic. This has been continuously updated to reflect the changes in the level of alert, as issued by the World Health Organisation. This Policy is well in excess of the recommendations of the Health Protection Agency. The home page of the school website will be kept up-to-date with relevant information.

We know of one family within the school community that has a relative who has recently returned from Mexico. All members of the family are currently fit and well, and they have voluntarily decided to keep the children away from school for a period of 7 days.

The Senior Management Team and the ICT Committee have met to discuss various options for Remote Learning. An essential part of this will be to have your correct home e-mail address so that we are able to communicate quickly and effectively with you. Please send an e-mail to office@dcpskent.org with your surname in the subject line and the name(s) and form(s) of your child(ren) in the body of the e-mail.

The children have been encouraged to maintain strict hygiene measures and we would ask that you continue to reinforce this at home. Please contact the Medical Centre if you would like any further information or advice.

You will be aware of the current concern regarding a pandemic flu outbreak. With confirmed UK cases, we have implemented the next stage of the school's pandemic flu plan. Any pupil with a high fever (38˚c or above) and with a cough, headache, runny nose, diarrhoea or vomiting, should not be sent to school. If there is any doubt prior to return, please contact the Medical Centre for advice.

If children are boarding when the symptoms present, they will be taken to the school Medical Centre, where they will be cared for. Children with flu-like symptoms, which present during the school day, will be separated from other pupils until they are collected by a parent/guardian. Once home, please do not take your child to your GP, but contact your surgery by telephone.

We will be monitoring the Department of Health guidance closely and will contact you again when more information is available - please check our website www.dcpskent.org - we will update the Noticeboard page if the situation changes. We ask that you continue to encourage your children to carry out the following:

• REGULAR HAND WASHING WITH SOAP AND WATER.
• COVER THEIR NOSE AND MOUTH WHEN COUGHING AND SNEEZING - USING A TISSUE IS PREFERABLE THEN DISPOSE OF THE TISSUE PROMPTLY IN A BIN.

Further information and links can be found at
www.direct.gov.uk
www.teachernet.gov.uk/humanpandemic
www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu
www.parentscentre.gov.uk