One Vernon School Closes Because of Swine Flu

By 250 News

Victoria, B.C.- Provincial Health Officer Perry Kendall is encouraging parents and schools to continue taking practical steps to prevent the spread of illness, but not to be too alarmed about the spread of the H1N1 flu.

"At this point, the cases in British Columbia are all very similar to  seasonal influenza," said Kendall. "The best thing parents and schools  can do to protect children is to keep them home from school if they're sick and to continue taking common sense health precautions to combat the spread of the flu."

Schools and parents can take the following basic precautions to prevent  the spread of influenza:
* Stay home when you're sick or have influenza symptoms;
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and  throw the tissue away immediately;
* If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve,  not your hands;
* Clean your hands often with soap and warm water, or a gel- or  alcohol-based hand cleanser;
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; and
* Practice other good health habits.

Today, officials have decided to close Beairsto Elementary in Vernon for the next week due to a young student who has tested positive for the H1N1flu. The student is experiencing a mild case and is at home
recovering well.

"British Columbia has a strong surveillance system in place through its  local health authorities and we will know if there are any clusters or outbreaks within the school system," said Kendall. "At this point, there are no reasons for parents or schools in other parts of B.C. to be concerned about children's health while at school."


If you are feeling ill or have more questions, you can speak to a nurse by calling HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information on how to protect yourself from influenza and how to prevent the spread of the swine flu, visit www.gov.bc.ca/swineflu.

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