Year 12 Westlake Girls High School students to stay at home

Year 12 students at Westlake Girls High School to stay home for seven days

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) has confirmed that a year 12 student at Westlake Girls High School on the North Shore has tested positive for Influenza A H1N1.

The student has been treated with Tamiflu and is recovering well.

“ARPHS has worked closely with Westlake Girls High School to contact trace and manage anyone from the school who may have been in close contact with the student”, says Dr Simon Baker, Clinical Ops Partner, Incident Control, ARPHS.

“Through contact tracing it has become apparent that it is likely that there has been transmission to several further students”, he adds.

“A decision has therefore been made by Westlake Girls High School in consultation with ARPHS to ask all year 12 students to stay at home for the next seven days to avoid further infection where possible.”

During this stand-down period it is required that all year 12 students, whether they are sick or not, remain at home and do not leave the house.

Sick students are being offered Tamiflu according to national guidelines. Parents of students who become sick should contact the ARPHS Fluline on 0800 358 5463 to report their child’s illness and arrange Tamiflu. Fluline is manned from 8am until 9pm every day. If you do not get through straight away please try calling again.

“During this time they can also take paracetamol, if needed, to relieve symptoms. They should always cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Tissues should be disposed of in a lined rubbish bin with a lid or plastic bag”, says Dr Baker.

“To protect yourself and others against Influenza make sure that you carry out good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water and drying them thoroughly. Alcohol-based cleaners are also effective.

“You should only contact your doctor if you are, or become very unwell, and might need medical help. Family members who become unwell should isolate themselves at home in the same way as for students”, adds Dr Baker.

If you have any questions about swine flu you can phone Healthline - 0800 611 116 for free advice or visit www.moh.govt.nz

Questions about schooling over this period of time should be directed to Westlake Girls High School.

ENDS