Province Prepares Schools for H1N1

By 250 News

The Province is preparing for a possible resurgence of the H1N1 flu virus in B.C. schools this fall with a plan that includes new information and materials for parents, students and schools.

"We don't expect that individual school closures, community-wide closures or provincewide closures will be useful in controlling the spread and impact of the H1N1 flu virus," said provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.
"Closures early last spring were initiated out of an abundance of caution because we had very little information on the novel flu virus at that time. It has since become apparent that the disease caused by this virus is generally mild and does not warrant such severe measures."

In addition, the Province and the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, in consultation with the federal government and public health partners, have developed new guidelines around school closures that complement the pandemic plans of school districts.

Under the school closure guidelines, the provincial health officer and the local medical health officer will make the final decision on whether it is necessary to close schools or other facilities such as daycares or community centres.

Dr. Kendall says he does not expect  school closures because of  the presence of H1N1, "If schools close, it will be because there aren't enough teachers to operate a safe environment."

Kendall  says all school superintendents were  consulted last week and advised of the new guidelines.  It is the B.C.  experience with H1N1 that  1/3 of all cases were among those aged 5-19.  Only 2% of the 773 lab confirmedcases in B.C.  were among peole over the age of 55.

"While we  expect to  see  H1N1 this  fall,  we expect it will present  as a moderate flu year" says Dr. Kendall.  He adds that with the knowledge gained since the virus first appeared last spring, a great deal of information has been   gathered allowing theProvince to  prepare a new plan. As  always, the  rules for dealing with flu remain the same, 

• maintaining a clean environment ( periodically wiping down   areas that have lots of  human contact)
• frequent hand washing
• coughing into a  tissue or into   a sleeve
• if  you  have flu symptoms, stay home.

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