A/H1N1 influenza

Information letter for the parents

Subject: `Mexican' influenza.

Dear parents,

The past few months you received via the press a lot of news regarding the new alternative on the influenza virus: A/H1N1 influenza, in the meantime better known as `Mexican' influenza. On 14th July Belgium moved from the phase of ‘containment' or restricting each individual influenza case, to the phase of ‘mitigation' or mastering the consequences on citizens and society.

The aim of the measures at this stage is no longer to embank the influenza pandemy and to   slow it down, but to temper the medical and social impact of influenza and to ensure that those who need medical aid or medication, receive it in time.

How does contagion of the A/H1N1 influenza virus take place?

The sickness is especially transmitted by means of air. Droplets of saliva that are released while coughing or sneezing, move on and thus can - via breathing - contaminate directly   another person. Via the air the viruses also get on to all kinds of objects. If someone touches a ‘contaminated' object and afterwards his eyes, nose or mouth, then this is sufficient to be contaminated. But hands can also transfer the virus: when coughing the mouth is covered with the hand, as a result droplets come on the hand, and by means of what this hand touches afterwards contagion can spread itself.  

What can we at school and you at home do to prevent as much as possible that the influenza virus can spread itself?

It is important that each of us takes his or her responsibility and takes into account the preventive measures that are enumerated hereafter. Also in our school it is important that the influenza virus is countered as much as possible. To avoid contagion a good hands and sneeze hygiene is the most important:

-   after a visit to the toilet and at least before every meal wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap;

-   use clean towels only for personal use or use tissues;

-   cut your nails short and clean them regularly;

-   blow your nose in tissues and throw them away immediately;

-   cover your mouth and nose when sneezing.

At school we will pay attention to the hygienical precaution measures, but also it is important to pay particular attention to all of this at home too.

When there is a big chance that your child is contaminated, what can you do then?

If your child shows the following symptoms during the next few days or months:

-   a (sudden) attack of fever with a temperature above 38°C;

-   muscular pain or pain of the joints;

-   breathing symptoms such as coughing or a running nose;

-   sore throat.

And possibly also these (additional) symptoms:

-   headache;

-   shivers;

-   fatigue;

-   vomit or diarrhoea (not typical for influenza, but mentioned in some recent cases of contagion).

then we ask you to keep your child at home and contact your doctor as soon as possible for a house visit. A quick mediation of the doctor accelerates the recovery process.

Just like for other absences because of sickness the absence because of the `Mexican' influenza has to be justified with a doctor's certificate which is provided to the school.

The school also provides measures for absences of teachers because of sickness.

We will keep you informed of this.

You can find further information on the `Mexican' influenza in general on the Internet site www.influenza.be. On the Internet site www.ond.vlaanderen.be/griep you can find tips for parents with children (via `hoe communiceer je met ouders? / how do you communicate with parents?). Moreover you will find there some answers on frequent questions concerning influenza and education.

On the school website www.esmol.be under ‘Documents' we will publish some hygiene tips circulated by the DG ADMIN Medical Service of The European Commission.

Information in English for parents can also be found on the Internet site: www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=13528.

For additional questions concerning influenza in our school you can contact our school nurse, Ms Yoke Moorgat (yoke.moortgat@eursc.org),  on the following phone number: +32/(0)14.56.31.40.

Kind regards,

The management of the school