Information for parents about schools affected by Swine Flu

19 June 2009

Parents of Jersey school children are being advised that all schools, with the exception of Helvetia House School, are continuing to operate normally and will be open as usual next week.

Yesterday (18 June 2009), Helvetia, was closed as a precautionary measure after a case of Swine Flu was confirmed at the school. There is also a possible case of the virus at Les Quennevais School after a student came into contact with a confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1). '* For reasons of patient confidentiality, no further information will be released about the individuals.

People at Les Quennevais School who attended the same lessons as the student on the afternoon before that person became unwell have been informed and advised to contact their GP to take the anti-viral drug, Tamiflu, as a preventative measure.

Following advice from the Public Health Department, students at Les Quennevais who have been given Tamiflu as a preventative measure can continue to go to school as normal as long as they do not have flu symptoms. Anyone with flu symptoms should not go to school and should contact their GP for a home visit.

Director of Education, Sport and Culture, Mario Lundy, said: “The health of pupils and their families is obviously our prime concern, and we are working very closely with Public Health in this matter.”

Schools have been asked by the Education Department to monitor absence and sickness levels very closely, and to inform Public Health of any significant changes.

The position in relation to Helvetia School will be reviewed by Public Health on Monday, in consultation with the school and the ESC Department, and a decision will be taken on Monday as to when the school will be reopening.