11 September 2009
Jersey’s Deputy Medical Officer of Health, working in conjunction with Education, Sport and Culture, has reviewed the schools’ 48 hour rule and confirmed that it will continue for as long as the Island remains in containment with low numbers of new swine flu cases. This remains a temporary measure aimed at delaying a major wave of swine flu infection before the vaccine arrives.
At the start of the autumn term, parents were advised to keep children off school for 48 hours after returning from higher risk areas as a precautionary measure .
The Chief Minister, Senator Terry Le Sueur, who is chairing the political co-ordination group said: “I recognise that the measure is inconvenient for some children and their parents. However, all the medical advice is that children are more easily infected by viruses than adults and more likely to spread their infection to others. In a small community, we can all play our part in limiting the spread of this new virus by carrying out achievable precautions.”
Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Susan Turnbull, said: “Schools are a very effective environment for spreading viral infections. There is evidence from past pandemics – and growing evidence from the current one - showing that the first major waves of infection began with school outbreaks.
“There is still a realistic chance of keeping the impact of swine flu on the people of Jersey to a minimum. We only have one hospital and one intensive care unit. There are plans to expand their capacity by diverting resources from non-urgent work, but these options are limited. We have only one chance to get it right.”
As during the summer term, this advice will continue to apply to children returning from school trips, sports fixtures or independent travel.
Director of Education, Sport, and Culture, Mario Lundy, said: “We understand that some people may be adversely affected by the implementation of the 48 hour rule but medical advice suggests that whilst we are still in the phase of containment this is an effective strategy.”
The 48-hour rule applies only to school children and not to adults, so no adult need stay off work on their return to Jersey for health reasons – unless they are unwell with flu symptoms.
Anyone who has a fever (usually with a temperature 38 degrees or more) and flu symptoms should stay at home and call their GP’s surgery. Staff there will be able to tell you about their arrangements for flu patients. It is important that people do not go to A&E or direct to their GP’s surgery as this risks spreading the virus into the hospital.
Children with flu symptoms should not be sent to school. If illness develops during the school day, arrangements should be made for them to be taken home as soon as possible.
The flu helpline, which provides only general information, is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and the number to call is 445566. Anyone needing medical advice should contact their GP.
List of Countries (subject to review as the situation changes)
Those most affected are:
Europe:
UK mainland (including travelling through UK eg airports, not including Channel Islands)
France (including travelling through France)
Germany
Portugal
Spain and Balearic Isles (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza)
Outside Europe:
Australia
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Malaysia
Mexico
Paraguay
Peru
Thailand
US
gov.je