Monday, 1 June 2009
Latest information on H1N1 (swine flu) virus
Dear Parents

Following the closure of the Nurseries at 28/30 Eccleston Street, due to two cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu), prior to the half term break, I am pleased to announce that the swift action taken has ensured that no further transmission of the virus has occurred within the school.

We are, of course continuing to monitor absences closely and to this end I would draw your attention to the information generated by Health Protection Agency (HPA) for the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) following the recent half term holiday break.


Swine flu - children returning from half-term holidays in Mexico or the USA

The current swine flu virus is still affecting a growing number of people in a number of different countries. The current view is that the influenza caused by this virus is generally mild in nature and that children and young adults are the predominant age groups to be affected. A number of the countries where it appears that this virus may have become established within communities are popular tourist destinations where many families may be spending the current school break, such as beach resorts in Mexico and the theme parks of the United States. Currently the United States are reporting higher levels of influenza-like illness than is normal for this time of year, probably in part as a consequence of the new swine influenza virus. It is therefore possible that children of families returning from such holiday destinations as the US or neighbouring Mexico and Canada may develop a flu-like illness whilst on holiday or shortly after returning to the UK.

Schools and settings should therefore consider the possibility of swine influenza if there are unexpected numbers of absences following the return to school or children become ill with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, fatigue/lethargy, headache or vomiting/diarrhoea. There is evidence of rapid spread in schools and nurseries. The key step is for these children to remain off school until they are symptom free and to seek medical advice.

Measures people can take to reduce transmission are, washing of hands, coughing and sneezing into tissue and disposal of them.

Healthy children with no flu-like symptoms should not be kept away from schools just because they have been to Mexico, the USA or Canada recently.

Children returning from such countries who do display flu-like symptoms should remain at home; parents should be asked to take home any children who come in with such symptoms.

I hope that this information will prove useful in helping you to determine the need to inform the school of potential cases of H1N1 virus. As I have already mentioned we continue to closely monitor our absentees to ensure any children displaying flu like symptons are isolated at home and seek medical advice.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me on 0207 931 9469.




Paul David
Headmaster