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The Department of Education has released information for schools in relation to the outbreak of Swine Influenza in Mexico and the emerging reports of related outbreaks of Swine Influenza in other parts of the world including North America, Spain and Scotland.
Update from Department of Education
1. You will be aware from media reports of the outbreak of Swine Influenza in Mexico and the emerging reports of related outbreaks of Swine Influenza in other parts of the world including North America, Spain and Scotland.
2. We have just been advised of three confirmed cases in England, including a 12 year old school girl. The school she attends has been temporarily shut and pupils offered anti-viral drugs.
3. The World Health Organisation has escalated its Pandemic Flu Alert Level to Phase 4, in acknowledgement of the ability of this particular virus to pass between humans.
However, despite this escalation to Phase 4 it is stressed that a Pandemic Influenza has NOT been declared.
4. The current advice from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and other health organisations and agencies at the date of this note is for people and organisations to continue to operate as normal and practice good hygiene measures.
5. However, it is sensible for all organisations to be prepared for any changes to this situation.
6. To help facilitate such planning the Department of Education issued "Guidance for Schools in NI: Planning for a Human Influenza Pandemic" in September 2006.
7. This guidance advised schools of the issues they should consider in advance of any escalation of the WHO Alert Level from Phase 3, the steps they should take if the Alert Level was escalated to Phase 4 (position at 29/4/09), through Phase 5 and in the event of a Pandemic Influenza being declared (Phase 6).
8. Now that WHO Phase 4 has been declared you should revise your contingency plan and be ready to put it into action if required and ensure that school contact lists are up to date. Staff and children should be encouraged to practice good hygiene measures such as covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, use disposable tissues where possible and regularly wash their hands.
9. The Department of Education is working closely with DHSSPS and will advise schools and the wider education sector of any further developments or changes to the WHO Alert Levels and will issue additional advice and guidance as appropriate.
Further information is available on the Department of Education's website
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