UAE schools issue warning after spike in flu cases

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UAE schools issue warning after spike in flu cases

Dubai - A circular also advised the parents to keep their children at home if they show any of the symptoms.

By Asma Ali Zain and Sarwat Nasir

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Published: Tue 16 Apr 2019, 5:00 PM

Last updated: Wed 17 Apr 2019, 3:11 PM

Doctors and schools have issued an advisory to parents in the wake of increased reports of flu cases after the reopening of schools post spring break in the UAE.
The International School of Creative Science sent out a circular to parents last week warning them of a flu virus outbreak in schools across the UAE. The circular stated that there is a suspected spread of a virus in some schools following the return of students from holidays.
Naveed Iqbal, principal of ISCS Nad Al Sheba, said: "With the changes in weather as well as people coming back from their holidays, we are conscious that cases of flu and other seasonal illnesses are likely to increase and affect our students. Our health and safety measurements are implemented regularly to ensure the safety of our students at all times. To further promote the overall health and wellness of our students at the ISCS and all our other schools, we have issued certain precautions for parents to follow as a pre-emptive step and as a simple reminder of everyday hygiene measures that can be taken to maintain good health.''
The circular also urged parents to look out for any symptoms such as high fever, coughing, sore throat, joint pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The circular also advised the parents to keep their children at home if they show any of the symptoms until they recover. The school informed parents that it has taken some precautions to prevent the spread of any virus and to maintain a safe and healthy environment at school.
Dr Deepak Gandhi, specialist pediatrician at the Medeor Hospital Dubai, told Khaleej Times that there has been a recent rise in influenza infections again after vacations. "This is most probably because of change of environment which gives another chance to influenza virus to flourish," he said.
He also said that parents were inquiring about vaccination.
Know influenza virus
Influenza is an infectious disease caused by influenza virus for which symptoms can be mild to severe. Common symptoms are high fever, body ache, headache, runny nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing and tiredness. Cough can last up to two weeks or more.
Children can have vomiting and diarrhea as well and children can continue to spread infection little longer than adults. Most of the influenza infections go uncomplicated just like common cold or flu but some time it can be very serious and complications like viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infection and deterioration of previous health problems like asthma or heart failure can happen.
Precautions suggested by school
>Keep hands clean, especially after sneezing, coughing, before and after eating, after 8playing and after using the bathroom
>Encourage students to use a tissue when sneezing or coughing
>Regularly cleaning areas that are frequently touched, such as door and staircases handles, keyboards, faucets and school playground games
>Notify parents immediately if their child has fallen ill at school
>Isolate the child from other students until a parent arrives
How to prevent influenza
>Frequent hand washing using soap and alcohol based hand rubs, not touching your eyes, nose and mouth
>Using surgical mask, covering your sneezes or coughs
>Yearly vaccination as recommended by WHO
>Avoiding contact with patient, stay at home if you are sick
>Avoid spitting
>Clean the contaminated surface with alcohol based and other approved compounds
>If you have exposure to infection, then get in touch with doctor for possible post exposure prophylaxis
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
 


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