Doha

The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has announced that three girls from the same family have been diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1). They are students of the same primary school, but in different classes.

They are being followed up and under medication. The SCH has co-ordinated with the school administration to take the necessary preventive measures and vaccinate all the teachers, administrative staff and other students who were in contact with the infected girls.

“It is not recommended to close the school, only those infected should be isolated, as the virus is one that causes a type of seasonal influenza according to the classification of the World Health Organisation,” the SCH said.

It is also recommended to disinfect the surfaces touched by those infected using normal household detergents and take the necessary vaccination.

However, the administration of the school decided to close it for a day, without consulting the SCH, out of its concern for the students’ health.

“The situation does not pose any danger or an epidemic risk as most infections are mild to average and recover in due course of time. Besides, the necessary treatment and vaccinations are available,” the SCH added.