NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2009EDUC0006-000250
August 24, 2009
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport
H1N1 PLANS IN PLACE FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL
VICTORIA – The Province is preparing for a possible resurgence of the
H1N1 flu virus in B.C. schools this fall with a pandemic plan that
includes new information and materials for parents, students and
schools, Minister of Education Margaret MacDiarmid and Minister of
Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong announced today in conjunction with
provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.
“We don’t expect that individual school closures, community-wide
closures or provincewide closures will be useful in controlling the
spread and impact of the H1N1 flu virus,” said Kendall. “Closures early
last spring were initiated out of an abundance of caution because we
had very little information on the novel flu virus at that time. It has
since become apparent that the disease caused by this virus is
generally mild and does not warrant such severe measures.”
In addition, the Province and the Office of the Provincial Health
Officer, in consultation with the federal government and public health
partners, have developed new guidelines around school closures that
complement the pandemic plans of school districts.
“Though the H1N1 flu virus has proven to be similar to seasonal flu,
parents should continue to take every precaution to keep their children
safe,” said Chong. “We have provided information for both parents and
students on the Province’s H1N1 website and we are working with our
public health and education colleagues to ensure that all British
Columbians are well- protected this coming flu season.”
Under the school closure guidelines, the provincial health officer and
the local medical health officer will make the final decision on
whether it is necessary to close schools or other facilities such as
daycares or community centres.
“The Ministry of Education has developed a pandemic response framework
and it will be in place for the first day of school to support
operational decision-making during any pandemic,” said MacDiarmid. “The
framework will also provide guidance to public and independent schools
and will be available to the First Nations education system.”
The framework will assist boards of education and independent school
authorities in planning for such contingencies as:
* Transportation of sick students.
* Communications protocols during a pandemic.
* Roles and responsibilities of emergency response teams.
* Continuity of instruction in the event of classroom disruptions.
* Post-pandemic recovery plans.
“We are taking proactive steps to protect the health and safety of
students and staff,” said Kamloops board of education superintendent
Terry Sullivan. “Co-ordinated planning and communication between
government, health authorities and districts will prepare us for a
worst-case scenario. However, by teaching students to take the
necessary precautions and practice good hygiene, we hope to minimize
the spread of illness and safeguard the health of everyone in B.C.
schools.”
British Columbia continues to monitor the H1N1 flu virus situation in
the province. Cases have been confirmed throughout B.C. and the vast
majority of these patients have either recovered or are recovering. For
the school guidelines and for the latest B.C. back-to-school and
general information about the H1N1 flu virus, visit www.gov.bc.ca/h1n1.
-30-
Contact:
Scott Sutherland
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport
250 208-4028
BACKGROUNDER
GETTING READY FOR THE FALL INFLUENZA SEASON
British Columbia continues to monitor the H1N1 flu virus situation in
the province. The vast majority of lab-confirmed cases in B.C. have
been mild, with the patients either having already recovered or
currently recovering.
How H1N1 influenza is transmitted:
The H1N1 flu virus, like other influenza viruses, spreads mainly
through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. It may also be
spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the
virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Young children,
pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases such as asthma,
diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from
this infection.
Symptoms:
In most children, the symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus are similar to the
symptoms of regular flu. They include:
* Fever.
* Cough.
* Sore throat.
* Body aches.
* Headache.
* Chills and fatigue.
* Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea.
Preventative measures:
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs
that can cause respiratory illnesses like the H1N1 flu virus:
* Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and
water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this
yourself.
* Teach your children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the
inside of their elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this
yourself.
* Teach your children to stay at least two metres (six feet) away from
people who are sick.
* Children who are sick should stay home from school and daycare and
stay away from other people until they are feeling better and able to
fully participate in normal activities.
If your child is sick:
While the majority of H1N1 cases in B.C. have been relatively mild, it
is important to take proper precautions:
* Unless they need medical attention, keep children who are sick at
home. Do not send them to school or daycare until they are feeling
better and able to fully participate in normal activities.
* If your child needs to see a doctor or health-care provider, call
ahead and report your child’s symptoms.
* Have them drink a lot of liquid (juice, soups, Pedialyte(R)).
* Keep the sick child comfortable. Rest is important.
* For fever, sore throat, and muscle aches, you can use fever-reducing
medicines that your doctor recommends based on your child’s age. Do not
use aspirin with children or teenagers.
* If someone in your home is sick, keep them away from those who are
not sick.
* Keep tissues close to the sick person and have a trash bag within
reach for disposing used tissues.
School closure policy:
Based on the experience to date about the current H1N1 situation,
public health officials in B.C. do not anticipate that closures of
individual schools, community-wide closures, or provincewide closures
will be useful for controlling the transmission and impact of H1N1.
Vaccine:
Canada is working on an H1N1 vaccine, which will be made available as
per national guidelines when it is ready. Once the vaccine arrives in
British Columbia (expected in November), people will be able to get
immunized at their doctor’s office or at an immunization clinic set up
especially to deliver the vaccine. Consultations are underway that
would allow pharmacists to deliver vaccinations as well.
Antiviral medication:
Those in high-risk categories (pregnant women, young children and
people with underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and
morbid obesity) should visit their doctor prior to the fall to
determine whether they should be prescribed antivirals in advance, for
use in the event they show H1N1 flu symptoms.
You can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, 24 hours a day/seven days a week
to speak to a nurse if you have more questions or are concerned about
any illness/symptoms experienced by you or your children.
For the latest facts on the H1N1 flu virus, including back-to-school
information, visit www.gov.bc.ca/h1n1.
-30-
Contact:
Scott Sutherland
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport
250 208-4028
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the
Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at