| HEALTH INFORMATION CORNER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
H1N1- End of Term 2 Notice - Preparedness Messages for H1N1 - Routines - Healthy Food Ideas - Health Resources H1N1 flu virus situation (6/8/10) We’d like to update you on the current situation with Swine Flu, HIN1. The Ministry of Health (MOH) reports that there is an increase in the numbers of people with H1N1 flu virus. We don’t expect a repeat of last year’s situation, nor do we expect MOH will be recommending that schools and early childhood centres are closed. A high percentage, nearly 50%, of under 20-year-olds have had the H1N1 flu virus so should now have some natural immunity. There has also been a high rate of vaccination. However, some schools are experiencing very high absences. These tend to be in areas where there weren’t as many cases last year. MOH and the Ministry of Education would like to thank the100 schools who have been sending the MOH their sickness data. This is been invaluable in tracking the spread of the virus. The graph on our website shows how MOH is using this data to track incidence. MOH is reminding everyone to repeat last year’s intensive prevention measures. These are: · practice good hygiene – wash and dry your hands regularly, and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing · stay home if you are sick · phone your doctor or HealthLine for advice People with pre-existing health conditions and pregnant women need to be particularly careful and seek medical advice early if they have flu symptoms. For more information, visit the Ministry of Health H1N1 webpages at http://www.moh.govt.nz/influenza-a-h1n1 __________________________________________________________ Impetigo __________________________________________________________ Whooping Cough case in the school We have been advised that there is a case of Whooping Cough in the school. Please read the document from the Public Health Nurse that discusses this notifiable disease, what the symptoms are, how it is caught, how it is treated and how to prevent this spreading. Should you require any further information please contact our Public Health Nurse, Cindy on: 383 6877 (Extension: 99621) __________________________________________________________ 28 July 2009 Notice to all Parents/Caregivers (31 July 2009) MEASLES OUTBREAK IN CANTERBURY The Public Health authorities are recommending that your child’s vaccination status be checked with your GP. This is to ensure your child’s protection from the current Measles outbreak. Signs symptoms of Measles: Advice: H1N1 – Swine Flu Thank you. __________________________________________________________ To parents/caregivers of children at Elmwood Normal School H1N1- End of Term 2 Notice With term holidays approaching and a number of families planning to travel, both overseas and around New Zealand, Elmwood Normal School is aware of the threat posed by the swine flu epidemic, particularly the risk posed by travellers returning as potential carriers. At this stage, the Ministry of Health’s advice is that if staff and students are well and symptom free after returning from an affected area overseas they can return to school and do not need to remain at home for any period after arriving back in the country, or back to the home city. However, this may change in the coming weeks and families need to plan for this possibility. The risk is that if an infected student returns to school and is in contact with other students and staff for even a day, the whole school could be closed for a week. The school board asks you to carefully monitor your family’s health closely whether you have been at home for the holiday period, or are returning from overseas or returning from your trip within New Zealand. If there are even the slightest flu symptoms, do not send your son or daughter back to school until you have first telephoned to check with your doctor, or alternatively checked through the MOH Healthline 0800 611 116 or the Canterbury Flu Centre 0800 37 30 37. We will continue to keep you informed through our school website, as information comes to hand. I wish you good health and happy holidays. Kevin Gooch __________________________________________________________ Preparedness Messages for H1N1 ELMWOOD NORMAL SCHOOL Latest Advice received from Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education (2 June 2009) Influenza A (H1N1) (“Swine flu”) Control of school spread has been demonstrated to be essential in controlling overall community spread of influenza viruses. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education are now recommending that all students who have been overseas should stay away from school for seven days after they arrive back in New Zealand, irrespective of whether they have symptoms. This is because the incubation period for influenza A (H1N1) in children is up to seven days, during which time they may shed the virus, even if they do not have symptoms. Should any person who suffers from influenza symptoms within seven days of international travel should telephone their GP for advice before returning to school or work. Basic but effective initiatives to slow down the spread of viruses like influenza include promoting basic hygiene measures: regular hand washing (before anyone puts anything into their mouths), students and staff covering their coughs and sneezes and any staff or students with symptoms of possible influenza should stay home until they are well. Thank you, __________________________________________________________ From 4th May 09 Newsletter: Preparedness for H1N1 As the world is on alert about the H1N1 flu virus we are all showing concern about the possibilities of the virus spreading, and of course reviewing what we need to do at school should the flu virus spreads into our own community. Our school has a comprehensive policy, plan and procedures in the event of an epidemic or pandemic which is in-line with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for pandemics. We strongly recommend to parents that the best possible source of advice regarding pandemic concerns and the preventative measures is either through your family doctor or the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health’s website is www.moh.govt.nz. This link provides good information about the H1N1 virus, the symptoms to look out for, prevention steps and what to do if your child is sick. Further I advise parents that the school’s Pandemic Action Plan, that provides the steps the school will take in respect to implementing the phases from preparedness through to implementing a recovery plan, if in fact the school needs to, can be found on the school’s website located in the Community section – health corner. However, it must be noted that all major decisions relating to a pandemic emergency come from the Ministry of Health and the school will be required to follow the procedures as directed. Decisions such as facility closures will be made in close consultation with district health authorities, the Ministry of Education and the Board of Trustees. The school’s public health nurse [Cindy Eaton 383 6877] provides regular information and professional guidance for staff as requested or as needed. Should a pandemic occur, the school community will be kept informed of the school’s pandemic procedures by way of school website communication and of course the media. At school we teach the children about how best to prevent sickness. We aim to help your children understand that the frequent washing of hands with soap is an important prevention task. This year we have installed foaming soap dispensers in the children’s toilets throughout the school to aid in hand washing. We also encourage all children to use tissues to cough and sneeze into, as this helps to stop the spread of a virus and we are advising children to stand well back from people who are sick. Parents can help prevent the spread of winter ailments, by keeping your children at home when they are sick and not sending them back to school until they are well again. Sending sick children to school puts everyone at risk of catching the bugs that happen to be going around at the time. Kevin Gooch __________________________________________________________ Establishing routines for your children helps them to know what is happening and what is expected of them. Children find comfort and security in having daily routines. Routines and rituals help children to feel more secure, less distracted and ready and enthusiastic about learning. Mornings: After school Bedtime For more advice or information on establishing routines in your family please contact the Public Health Nurse through your school. __________________________________________________________ Take the stress out of school lunches. Follow these ideas for lunch box fillers. They are quick, full of nutrients and your children will love them. Sandwiches are a lunch box favourite, the possibilities are endless Four sandwich combinations you may not have tried: Something for the non- sandwich eater Nutritious lunch box snacks Remember: always include fruit or vegetables to ensure your child achieves the recommended ‘5 + a day’. __________________________________________________________ Our public health nurse, Cindy Eaton has provided the resources below:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________________________________________________________________________ Elmwood Normal School, Aikmans Rd, Merivale, Christchurch, New Zealand ph: +64 3 55-7192 fax: +64 3 355-7116 office@elmwood.school.nz Web Site design and management by 'Over the Moon Design' |

