Swine Flu update

Update (6/7/09)

A member of the School's ICT support staff was at home at the end of last week suffering from 'flu like symptoms. Similarly, a pupil in Year 7 was feeling poorly on Friday 3rd and went home to recover. 

Both the member of staff and the pupil in Year 7 saw their Doctors but, in accordance with the new policy in London, were not tested for swine 'flu. However, both were prescribed the anti-viral medicine Tamiflu as a precautionary measure. They are responding well to the treatment but will remain absent from School until their symptoms have cleared and they feel strong enough to return.

All members of the Highgate School community will recognise that such occurrences are likely to become more frequent and common if the virus continues to spread as it has over the last month or so.

No other pupils or staff are currently showing any symptoms but we will continue to be vigilant and we will continue to follow the health advice and procedures that we have detailed in our previous swine 'flu updates.  TJL

Update (25/6/09)

Following the School’s update on June 18th, there has been an increase in the number of confirmed swine ‘flu cases across Haringey and London. Two prominent local schools have announced confirmed cases this week.

Given the number of new cases, the strategy of London’s health authorities in dealing with the virus has now changed from one of containment to one of mitigation; learning to live with, and manage, the virus when it arrives. Thankfully, the impact of the virus on those who have been infected thus far remains uncomfortable but relatively mild.

The original rationale behind closing schools for a temporary period was to slow the spread of the virus in the community but now that there is sustained community transmission in London of influenza A/H1N1v, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) will no longer automatically recommend that schools close on public health grounds.

There are no confirmed cases among the staff or pupils at Highgate as of 25th June and we will continue to operate as usual. All our previous advice about actions that can help limit the transmission of the virus remains valid.

Nevertheless, all Highgate staff and pupils are reminded that if they do begin to display ‘flu-like symptoms then they should not attend school. A full list of symptoms can be seen on the website, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk. You can also contact your own GP or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice.

Please then call the School as soon as possible, using the normal channels to report absence or illness, to let us know that you are unwell with suspected swine ‘flu. We will provide all the support that we can. Most diagnosed cases are being advised that they should stay at home for one week from the onset of the symptoms but the school would expect to be in touch with individuals to ensure that they feel fit and well enough to return.

As the information above suggests, close contacts of infected individuals who are displaying no symptoms are no longer being advised to remain at home but the school is mindful of those pupils or staff who may be more vulnerable, such as pregnant staff or those with existing medical conditions. We may also have to make a judgement on the viability of certain functions and events based on the availability of pupils and staff and the risk of further infection.

It seems inevitable that members of the Highgate community will contract the virus sooner or later and the School will continue to monitor and assess the situation carefully as each case arises.  TJ Lindsay, Principal Deputy Head

Update (18/6/09)

A School in Hampstead has had a number of cases of swine ‘flu diagnosed among their Year 7 pupils this week. On the advice of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the school remains open for normal lessons for all pupils who are not showing any symptoms of the virus. A school in the Hornsey area has also had a confirmed case and, in this instance, the school has been advised to close while several staff and children are tested for the infection.

This news from our local area follows the earlier announcement from the World Health Organisation that its influenza alert level has been raised to 6, meaning that there is evidence of a sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus across a number of global regions.

Despite the recent sad news from Scotland about the death of a young Mother and her baby, the overwhelming majority of the diagnosed cases in the UK so far have been mild and most patients are responding well to the anti-viral treatments on offer.

At this point, Highgate will continue to operate as normal. We will remain alert to any member of our community exhibiting ‘flu-like symptoms and we will continue to emphasise that good infection control practices, such as covering your nose and mouth when sneezing, using a tissue where possible and disposing of it promptly and hygienically, and good hand hygiene can help to reduce the transmission rate of all viruses.

We would ask all Highgate parents to be similarly vigilant. The advice from the HPA continues to state that, if your child displays ‘flu-like symptoms they should stay at home and you should contact NHS Direct or your GP – do not take them to the surgery. Inform the School as soon as you can and we will do all that we can to support you, including making appropriate work available should the advice be that your child should remain at home for a period of time.

Highgate will be mindful of the work of the health authorities in monitoring the spread of the infection over the summer and we will be in touch with all parents if there is any indication that arrangements for the return to school in September could be affected.   T J Lindsay, Principal Deputy Head

Update (5/5/09)

Although the initial media spotlight on swine ‘flu has moved on and pupils from South Hampstead High School and Alleyn’s in Dulwich are back in lessons, there are still a handful of swine ‘flu cases being discovered each day across the country.

The advice from the Health Protection Agency remains as follows:

Individuals returning from affected areas who become unwell within seven days of their return or contacts of a confirmed or probable case of swine flu who are exhibiting symptoms should stay at home and contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Individuals will be assessed and, if necessary, testing and treatment will be provided.

Children and adults who have no symptoms but have had contact with probable or confirmed cases in social community settings do not need to be excluded from either school or the workplace. They should continue their normal daily routines. It is important to remember that flu is usually spread from one person to another when an infected person has symptoms (i.e. coughing and sneezing).

Highgate will continue to encourage effective infection control practices and we will regularly remind all pupils that good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu. This includes:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.

We would be grateful if you could encourage your children to follow this advice. If your son or daughter displays any symptoms and you feel that you have to have them checked by your GP, please do not hesitate to let the School know.

Highgate’s contingency plans remain in place. Parents with pupils who are embarking on their public examinations can be reassured that we will co-operate fully with all the appropriate authorities to ensure that our candidates will not be disadvantaged in any way if the normal working life of the School is disrupted.    TJL

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