Maidenhead & Windsor

All schools in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough are open as usual in line with advice from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) following confirmation of two cases of swine flu (H1N1 virus).

One pupil at each of two Windsor and Maidenhead borough schools has been affected - Charters in Sunningdale, and Trevelyan Middle in Windsor.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council is in close contact with the schools and headteachers are adhering to HPA guidance which says that any child with flu-like symptoms should be kept at home. Parents who are concerned should contact NHS Direct for advice at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 46 47. Children with no symptoms should be sent to school as usual.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "Thankfully it appears that the swine flu virus is very mild and, given the way it has been spreading throughout the country, it is inevitable that it would reach borough schools eventually.

"The council has previously issued advice to headteachers and I know that the schools concerned have been in touch with the HPA and are following guidance very closely. We hope the pupils affected will be feeling better soon."

The HPA says that the only people who need to stay away from their normal activities (such as going to school or work) are those who have been confirmed as having swine flu, those who are being investigated as possible or probable cases or those who have been attending a school where a case is found to have been present and have symptoms.

The council understands from the HPA that only close contacts of probable or confirmed cases (family, friends etc) will be started on antiviral medicine as a precautionary measure but can continue their normal lives so long as they do not have any clinical symptoms.

Children and adults who have no symptoms but have had contact with probable or confirmed cases in social community settings do not need to be excluded from either school or the workplace. They should continue their normal daily routines.

Everyone can help guard against H1N1 flu virus
The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is urging all local residents to follow the common sense preventative advice CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT.
Use a tissue when you sneeze
Dispose of it quickly
Wash your hands to kill the germs

Even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) has moved to alert level 6 (pandemic) it does NOT mean the virus itself is getting more serious.
The council has comprehensive plans in place for coping if the virus continues to spread. The top priority is to ensure that the essential services will continue, even if staff become ill.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council works closely with its partner organisations to plan for all potential emergencies. It is involved in both Thames Valley regional and Berkshire county planning and there are daily contacts between health colleagues and local authorities.

If residents have flu-like symptoms, the HPA advice is to STAY AT HOME and check their symptoms at NHS direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 46 47.
For up-to-date advice visit www.hpa.org.uk or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead