The Department of Health will be closely monitoring the situation around the H1N1 influenza as schools re-open on Monday, 20 July. At this stage however, almost all the confirmed cases so far have been mild cases that have not required any anti-viral treatment or stay in a hospital.
As contained in its Influenza Preparedness Plan, the Department has National and Provincial Outbreak Response Teams that will monitor and assist schools in the event of any cluster outbreaks. Equally, the Department will also be working closely with the Department of Basic Education as far as sharing of awareness and information is concerned.
Bearing in mind that the country is in the middle of seasonal Influenza, the Department of Health would like to appeal to parents and learners not to panic due to the H1N1 influenza. It is for this reason therefore that the Department appeals to any learner(s) who may have flu-like symptoms to deal with it in a way that they would normally do which includes the following:
* staying at home for a number of days to speed the recovery process
* where possible consulting a health care worker
* practicing cough etiquette (such as using tissue-paper when coughing and disposing of it in a dust-bin) and basic hygiene such as regularly washing hands with water and soap.
For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 312 0663
Cell: 079 517 3333
Issued by: Department of Health
17 July 2009
