New strategy for influenza H1N1 09 (Human Swine Influenza) in Western Australia

From tomorrow, Western Australian school children who have recently travelled to Mexico, the United States, Canada, Japan and Panama will be asked to stay home from school for seven days.

In light of the increasing number of outbreaks of swine flu in schools overseas, Australian Government's expert Australian Health Protection Committee has recommended a period of exclusion from school following international travel to an area of concern.

Health Minister Kim Hames said this new voluntary measure might help to protect WA schools from the need to close for days or weeks at a time as has occurred in Victoria and South Australia.

"Parents will be asked to keep their children home from school for seven days after returning or arriving from a country of concern," Dr Hames said. 

"During these seven days, the student should stay home whether or not they have flu symptoms. This is because a person infected with flu can spread the virus a whole day before they start to feel unwell.

"This decision is based on expert information available so far about how this virus spreads."

At this stage there are five countries where the virus is spreading within the community to an extent that warrants extra precautions.  These countries are Mexico, the United States, Canada, Japan and Panama.

"WA Health continues to prepare for the possibility of local swine flu cases," the Minister said.

"This new recommendation is an added precautionary measure and part of the larger strategy for swine flu.

"School exclusion is only recommended for primary and secondary schools and will be implemented by families on a voluntary basis."

Dr Hames said it would be difficult for some families to follow the strategy, particularly those where both parents worked.

"While it may cause some inconvenience, it is very important that parents try to comply with this as it will help protect the whole community," he said.

"We are putting a lot of effort into delaying the arrival of this virus to Western Australia, as well as preventing any opportunities for it to spread, should it arrive."

Any person, students and adults who have symptoms of influenza following international travel should seek medical advice and inform the medical staff of their recent travel.

School principals will receive information about the implementation of the new strategy and will be able to assist parents who have queries about the new arrangements.

For further general information about swine flu, telephone the Influenza Hotline on 180 2007 or visit the Department of Health website http://www.health.wa.gov.au.  The list of countries of concern can be found on the Department of Health and Ageing website http://www.healthemergency.gov.au

Minister's Office  - 9222 8788