Letter to parents re 'flu like symptoms

31st August 2009

Dear Parents,

‘Flu symptoms: Precautions

We have sent a number of students home today who have developed ‘flu-like symptoms, namely a higher than normal temperature, sore throat, coughs etc. We have recommended to the parents that the students seek medical advice.
Whilst it is important not to over-react and create a sense of panic or unnecessary worry, it is important to take sensible precautions and we are monitoring the situation very carefully. We continue to clean and disinfect our school premises very carefully and are urging staff and students to pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene.
To safeguard students’ health, we also ask you to co-operate with us by following these guidelines, as recommended by the Government:

• Before sending your children to school, check their body temperature. Do not send children to school if they have a fever or other ‘flu-like symptoms.
• Inform the school immediately if your children are sick or have been admitted to hospital for surveillance.
• Keep sick children at home until symptoms have cleared up and the fever has subsided. Then, ensure they take rest for at least 2 more days before returning to school.
• If you are informed by us that your children are sick, please collect them from school and consult a doctor immediately.
• Provide your children with handkerchiefs or tissue papers and remind them not to share towels or tissue papers with others.
• Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Thank you for your support in these precautionary measures. We will keep you informed of developments by email and via our school website and you may find the following links to official websites helpful.

Yours sincerely,

John Nixon
Principal – Sha Tin College

Useful links
Department of Health: http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/
Centre for Health Protection: http://www.chp.gov.hk/
Hospital Authority: http://www.ha.org.hk/
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int