A member of our school community has been confirmed as having H1N1 Influenza A (Human Swine Influenza).

As a precaution, our school will close for the remainder of the term and reopen on Tuesday 14 July 2009. This decision has been made to assist in preventing the spread of H1N1 Influenza A (Human Swine Influenza) in the school community.

All students are asked to stay at home and avoid close contact with others, and avoid mass gatherings, especially those involving other children.

Antiviral medication (eg. Tamiflu) is no longer recommended for people who may have been a close contact of a person who has tested positive for Human Swine Influenza.

To help reduce the spread of infection, we encourage you and your family to practise good hygiene. This includes:
· washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using an alcohol based hand gel
· washing your hands prior to touching your eyes, nose and mouth
· covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
· using tissues which should be disposed of immediately.

Parents, students and staff should also monitor for flu like symptoms such as fever and either of the following:
· cough
· sore throat.

If your child should develop flu like symptoms, please follow the advice in the attached “Information Sheet for Parents and Students Affected by School or Child Care Closures due to H1N1 Influenza. (Human Swine Influenza)” from Queensland Health.

Additional information is available at the Queensland Health’s swine flu website at www.health.qld.gov.au/swineflu

Click here for H1N1 Influenza Fact Sheet