Many schools have sent  circulars  to students and parents to take necessary measures to counter the disease

By Joseph Varghese
Staff Reporter


In the light of a few cases of influenza A (H1N1) being reported within the past fortnight in Qatar, many schools have taken  measures to prevent the infection on their campuses, it is learnt.
Many schools have sent  circulars and other notifications to students and parents to take necessary measures to counter the disease.
A senior official at Doha College told Gulf Times that the school had taken several measures to prevent the spread of the disease among its students. Detailed information and guidelines have been sent to the parents as well.
“We have placed enough hand sanitisation materials around the campus and we refill them as and when they are empty,” explained Claire Griffiths, marketing and communications manager.
Doha College has asked parents to watch out for any symptoms of the disease and take necessary steps to treat the children.
“We have also got a well-trained nursing team who have been informed about the situation and to take care of the students accordingly,” the official said.
DPS Modern Indian School, which had reported two cases of H1N1, has taken  measures to ensure that the disease does not spread among its student population.
“We undertook a thorough cleaning of the entire premise and this was appreciated by Hamad Medical Corporation officials,” principal Asna Nafees said.
One of the two affected children has resumed schooling after getting the fitness certificate.
“We have also sent circulars and SMS notifications to parents to take precautionary measures if they notice any symptoms of the disease. We have also advised the staff to be extra vigilant if they find any students suffering from the flu symptoms,” she said.
The International School of London – Qatar last week sent out a circular to parents cautioning them to be extra vigilant about any symptoms of H1N1 among the students.
The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) announced on November 9 that three girls from the same family had been diagnosed with H1N1. They were students of the same primary school but in different classes.
The SCH co-ordinated with the school administration to take preventive measures and vaccinate all the teachers, administrative staff and other students who were in contact with the infected girls.
Though the administration of the school unilaterally decided to close it for a day, out of its concern for the students’ health, the SCH reassured that the situation did not pose any danger as most infections were mild to average and recovered in due course of time.
Dr Sheikh Mohamed al-Thani, the director of Public Health at SCH,  announced last week that there was no increase in the seasonal flu or H1N1 cases in the country.
“The only difference is that seasonal flu has started a little early this year. Generally more such cases are reported in January- February but this year it has started a bit early. But the situation is fully under control.”

Flu vaccination appeal

Health experts have urged residents to get the seasonal flu vaccine which can also prevent most common cases of H1N1.
Flu vaccines are available free of charge at all  Primary Health Care Corporation health centres. People who have valid health cards can visit the health centres for the flu shots. They have to go to the clinics where they are enrolled. The virus “A (H 1 to 1)” is one of the types of seasonal influenza infection, as classified by the World Health Organisation and does not constitute an epidemic threat, as the majority of cases have only mild or medium infection and are recovering.
While the majority of infected people recover after a week or two without medical treatment, it can be more serious among the elderly, very young and those with medical conditions.