Prevention and Control of Influenza A (H1N1) in School

The Department of Health, in its announcement of Influenza A (H1N1) Response Level System in Schools, and Interim Guidelines No. 10 for the Prevention and Control of Influenza A (H1N1) in Schools, urges school authorities to monitor the occurrence of influenza-like illness and prevent its spread among the school population.

In compliance with the DOH directives, St. Joseph’s Academy is adopting the following measures and we are ready for the Opening of Classes on June 08, 2009:

1. Orientation of Influenza A (H1N1) - headed by Dr. Angeli A. Venus, MD (School Doctor) and Rev. Fr. Elso N. Nalangan (Head, Student Services)

• What is Influenza A (H1N1)?
Other Reference: http://www.dm.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123146623
• SJA Faculty and Non-Teaching Personnel – June 05, 2009
• Students – June 08, 2009 (c/o Class Advisers)
• Proper procedure of Hand Washing

2. Orientation of Interim Guidelines no. 10 given by the Department of Health
• Those arriving in the Philippines from another country are required to defer going to school for ten (10) days after the date of their return.

• Those who have recently arrived in the Philippines from another country, depending on their date of arrival, are required to defer going to school for the remaining number of days to complete the 10-day observation period (e.g. a person who arrived in the Philippines 6 days ago must undergo self-quarantine for at least 4 days). This is to be done even if such person has already started reporting to school.

• Persons who have been in close contact (i.e. cared for, lived with, or has had direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids) with someone with a probable or confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) are required to defer going to school for ten (10) days after separation from contact with the case.

• Persons with influenza-like illness, like fever with either cough or sore throat and other respiratory tract symptoms, are advised to seek medical attention and stay home for seven (7) days after the onset of illness or at least twenty-four (24) hours after symptoms have resolved.

• Persons at high risk to develop complications from influenza (e.g. people taking steroids for chronic ailments such as asthma, very young children, people whose immune system is compromised by other illness like uncontrolled diabetes and cancer) are advised to take more stringent precautions to safeguard their health.
• During the period of quarantine, persons are to stay isolated from others, monitor themselves for signs of influenza, and to break quarantine only to seek medical attention.
• All who underwent self-quarantine and did not develop any flu-like symptoms after the prescribed quarantine period are to report to the offices stated above. The presentation of the passport of those who recently arrived in the Philippines is required.
Web Sources and for more updates:

http://www.doh.gov.ph/h1n1/
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/052909.htm