Swine ‘Flu Precautions

Update: Sunday 19 July:

Little change in the situation since the end of Term 2

School families are aware that there are suspected swine flu cases throughout the general community including our school community. These are being handled as advised by the authorities in line with the change in approach announced by the Victorian Government several weeks ago.

The current Government "protect" strategy is outlined below.

• Schools will no longer be closed when cases of swine ‘flu are confirmed
• Anti-virals will now only be provided for serious or medium confirmed cases and immediate household contacts but not for mild cases 
• Confirmed cases will only be quarantined for 3 days (rather than 7) and household contacts without flu will not routinely be quarantined or tested.  Quarantine for mild cases is now only on a voluntary basis.
• The focus will now be on those in high-risk settings (which does not include general school settings but does include early childhood centres with children under the age of one) and those personally at high risk (eg. those with respiratory diseases such as asthma or diabetes) 
• Testing is likely to be limited to those who are seriously ill or at high risk (with an end to mass precautionary testing)

However, given the existence of cases in the school community, school families should continue to be particularly vigilant, especially for any children at higher risk because of preexisting conditions such as asthma or diabetes. The likelihood of further cases remains high.

The following general provisions remain in place.

1. As is usually the case, please do not send children who are sick with ‘flu like symptoms to school.  They should be kept at home until well. Unless the symptoms are only mild, they must see a GP before returning to school. 
2. Standard hygiene practices should be carefully followed – especially with respect to hand washing, tissue disposal, and covering of nose and mouth if sneezing or coughing.
3. Please note that if children develop ‘flu like symptoms at school, they may still be isolated and asked to return home for medical treatment.

The earlier requirements with respect to quarantining students who have merely been in contact with confirmed cases or with recent overseas travellers were withdrawn some time ago. However, we would still greatly appreciate families erring on the side of caution if there is a reasonable prospect your child may have been exposed to the swine flu virus.

If you have any specific concerns about your family’s health:

• Call the Swine Influenza Hotline Tel: 180 2007
• Call Nurse-on-Call Tel: 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• Call your doctor (GP) – if you have an influenza-like illness (fever, cough and fatigue)
• Visit the Victorian Government Health Information Website for up-to-date information for schools, children, parents and the community: http://www.health.vic.gov.au

GENERAL INFORMATION

WOODLEIGH SCHOOL EMERGENCY CONTACT

www.woodleigh.vic.edu.au (or www.emergency-woodleigh.info if main site down)

 If concerned, parents can also check the School’s Emergency Information phone lines:

• Senior School                             (03) 5971 6155            
• Junior School                              (03) 9788 6455             

Students can also log on to the School’s portal & check for information under “Announcements”

Radio Station 3MP (1377AM) will broadcast general information in the case of a major emergency.

If the School is evacuated because of an emergency (such as bush fire), the likely destination (subject to the advice of Emergency Services personnel) is the Church Hall of St Paul’s Church in High Street Frankston

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