Flu pandemic

Latest update

20/11/09
Assemblies and co-curricular activities will resume as normal next week. 

Late buses will also resume.

IF YOUR CHILD IS UNWELL PLEASE DO NOT SEND HIM/HER TO SCHOOL

19/11/09
The level of pupil absence continues to decrease. A decision will be made at 8.30 tomorrow morning on the re-commencing of co-curricular activities, After-School club and late buses for next week.

18/11/09
Absence level slightly down on yesterday.

There are no late buses until further notice.

17/11/09
Absences down again today although remain quite high in S3 and S4 year groups.

There are no late buses until further notice.

16/11/09
We have significantly fewer absentees due to flu-type illness today.

There are no late buses until further notice.

  • The Scottish Opera event for P6 pupils on Tuesday 17th November has been cancelled.
  • The concert at St.Kessog's Church, Auchterarder on Sunday 22nd will go ahead as planned.

 

13/11/09
Approximately 25% of pupils in the Primary and Senior school are absent due to viral illness/flu-like symptoms.

There are no members of staff absent due to illness.

  • The Primary Parents' Evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday the 17th and 18th November have been postponed.
  • The Rotary Young Musician Competition on Tuesday 17th November has been postponed. 
  • The Scottish Opera event for P6 pupils on Tuesday 17th November has been postponed.
  • The concert at St.Kessog's Church, Auchterarder on Sunday 22nd has been postponed. 

We would like to remind parents of the importance of the school having up-to-date contacts details, please let us know of any changes immediately.

There are no late buses or after school activities until further notice.

12/11/09
We continue to see a large number of pupils with viral illness/flu-like symptoms. The NHS Directorate of Public Health has told us these numbers are in keeping with the pattern they are seeing across the whole of Tayside.

There are no members of staff absent due to illness.

There are no late buses until further notice.

11/11/09
As we continue to see an increase in the number of pupils with viral illness/flu-like symptoms, and in line with our planning for a flu pandemic, the following decisions have been made: 

  • as of today, and until further notice, matches with other schools are suspended. 
  • as of 12th November, and until further notice, co-curricular activities are suspended, and no late buses will run. 

10/11/09
In the last two days we have seen a higher than usual level of viral illness in the school. As a consequence of this, school assemblies will cease until further notice.  Children who are unwell should not be sent to school and should remain at home until they are fully recovered.

We continue to emphasise the importance of hand washing and respiratory hygiene at school.

We are monitoring the situation very closely and further developments will be posted on the website.

 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FLU
The signs and symptoms of pandemic flu are similar to those of seasonal flu, but they may be more severe and cause more serious complications.

The most significant symptoms are the sudden onset of:

  • fever (temperature of over 38C)
  • cough or shortness of breath.

Other symptoms may include:

  • headache
  • tiredness
  • chills
  • aching muscles
  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • sneezing
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • loss of appetite.

The incubation period (time between contact with the virus and the onset of symptoms)The range is from one to four days, though for most people it will be two to three days.

The infectious period (how long you are infectious to others)People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms. They can continue to spread the virus, for example in coughs and sneezes, for up to five days (seven days in children). People become less infectious as their symptoms subside, and once symptoms are gone, they are considered no longer infectious to others.

HOW IS PANDEMIC FLU CAUGHT AND SPREAD TO OTHERS?
Pandemic flu, just like seasonal flu, will spread from person to person by close contact. Some examples of how it can be spread include:

  • large droplets from coughing and/or sneezing by an infected person within a short distance (usually 1 metre or less) of someone
  • touching or shaking the hand of an infected person and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands
  • touching surfaces or objects (eg door handles) that have become contaminated with the flu virus and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands.

WHAT SHOULD INDIVIDUALS DO IF THEY HAVE SYMPTOMS OR ARE ILL?
If an individual feels ill with symptoms consistent with an influenza-like illness (ILI) while at school, it is important that he or she does not simply carry on.

Their symptoms should be reported immediately to Sister McLeod, school nurse and, if they are consistent with flu, the individual should be sent home. We ask that parents collect their child promptly when requested to do so.

Contact NHS 24  08454 24 24 who can then pass you on to a dedicated help line. Do not to return to school until the symptoms have cleared and the pupil/member of staff feels well enough to return.

If individuals develop symptoms while not at school, they should adhere to the following advice:

  • Stay at home (self-isolate).
  • Do not go to school until you are fully recovered.
  • Contact NHS 24 (0845 24 24 24) for advice and an initial assessment of symptoms in the first instance.
  • Inform the school to let them know you are ill.

WHAT SHOULD INDIVIDUALS DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS FROM PANDEMIC FLU?
It is important that the following practices are adhered to:

  • Individuals should use a tissue to cover their nose and mouth when coughing and/or sneezing, dispose of the tissue promptly and then wash their hands.
  • Tissues should be disposed of in domestic waste- they do not require any special treatment.
  • Individuals should not use cloth handkerchiefs or reuse tissues. This practice carries a risk of contaminating pockets or handbags which may then recontaminate hands every time they go into those pockets or handbags.
  • Individuals should clean their hands frequently, especially after coughing, sneezing and using tissues. Soap and water is a perfectly effective means of cleaning hands; however, handrubs (microbicidal handrubs, particularly alcohol-based) can be used as an alternative.
  • Individuals should minimise touching of the mouth, eyes and/or nose, unless they have recently cleaned their hands.
  • Normal household detergent and water should be used to clean surfaces frequently touched by hands.
  • Individuals should clean their hands as soon as they get to school and when they arrive home.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF HE/SHE HAS RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS