Government of CANADA helps schools prepare for H1N1 flu virus

24.aug.09
Public Health Agency of Canada

OTTAWA --The Government of Canada today released guidance documents to
help schools, daycares and post secondary institutions prepare for back
to school during the H1N1 flu virus pandemic.
"We know that the H1N1 virus can spread easily among young people," said
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq. "We want to do all that we can to
minimize the risk of infection at school - that's why we have provided
schools with this crucial advice."
The two guidance documents - an updated, more detailed set of guidelines
for schools and daycares, and a new document for post-secondary
institutions and boarding schools - provide recommendations for
institutions regarding handwashing and disinfecting surfaces, measures
for isolating the ill, and for reporting outbreaks to local public
health authorities.
The Government of Canada continues to recommend against the widespread
proactive closure of schools, daycares and post-secondary institutions.
As the H1N1 virus continues to cause primarily mild illness in Canada,
the risks and benefits of keeping schools open outweigh the risks and
benefits of closing them, especially when the recommended measures are
taken.
"Schools, daycares and post secondary institutions can play a crucial
role in our pandemic response," said Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's
Chief Public Health Officer. "Keeping schools open is an excellent way
to educate and inform students and their families, minimize the impact
of the virus on society and the economy, and it offers a good
environment to administer the pandemic vaccine."
These guidance documents were developed in consultation with provincial
and territorial health authorities. While decisions on school closures
are ultimately a local and organizational jurisdiction, these guidelines
will assist in implementing a consistent approach to management of H1N1
flu virus in schools across Canada.