Requesting help for prevention and control of Type A H1N1 influenza

Requesting help for prevention and control of Type A H1N1 influenza

We are writing to update you about the latest situation regarding Type A H1Nl influenza at VCS.
Further to the letter we sent home referring to the H1N1 influenza prevention and control policy, the advice from Chiangmai Provincial Public Health Office is that if your child is unwell, you are requested to keep him/her at home for period of  7 days until they have recovered before allowing them to return to school.

In the past few weeks, you have probably become aware of the increased numbers of infected people in the country and city.  Last week, our school began a procedure where we scanned students and found a few from Primary and Secondary levels with high temperatures who were sent home. Over the weekend, we followed their cases and we were informed that most simply had a common cold, although two were admitted to hospital with flu symptoms suspected to be the virus. After observation and treatment they were pronounced clear and sent home to recover.

We are mindful that over the long weekend some students might have picked up the virus and since it takes approximately 5 to 7 days to develop, during this period the child could spread it amongst his classmates. Our screening procedures are designed to minimise this risk and every classroom is being disinfected by Umoniun spray daily.

We have decided that closing the school doesn’t necessarily help to prevent the spreading of H1N1 and note that there are some schools which were closed, re-opened and closed again. The places where children like to go and socialise are still open allowing the virus to be circulated around the country and indeed throughout the world.   Close monitoring will continue and, should it be necessary, parents will be asked to take children out of school on a class by class basis if a case is found.  We don’t feel  there is any cause for panic reactions at this time.

We are writing to request that students bring along with them a facemask and alcohol type hand cleanser every day to encourage proper hygiene procedures. We would also like to ask you to prepare a small hand towel for your child in order to clean their desk and personal belongings (with the exception of Anubarn level) as the school will be disinfecting every classroom daily. As we all know, the virus is likely be around for some time to come and we are determined to look after our students’ health both at school as well as you do at home.

At the end of this week, there will be mid-term examinations. If your children appear to be sick please have them stay at home. They can complete their examinations after they have recovered. During the examinations period, please make sure you pick your children up as soon as they have finished. This will allow them to have more time to review for the next day’s exam. Please do not let them go out and socialise unnecessarily as not only do they need to study, the risk of spreading H1N1 will be lessened. If you have any inquiries, suggestions, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your co-operation and concern over the past few weeks.