2 city schools suspend classes for a week

Students from these institutions have tested positive for H1N1 influenza.

The Frank Anthony Public School (FAPS) announced early on Monday that classes for junior schools, comprising nursery to class five, will remain closed till August 16, as a seven-year-old student from the school has tested positive for H1N1 influenza.  

Vidya Sagar at Hebbal, which is primarily a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten school, has also declared holiday for a week. A five-year-old from the institution has tested positive for H1N1 influenza.  

Children being the first victims of the flu, city schools are grappling with the situation and have begun suspending classes as the last resort. Several calls about the flu were received at schools, as the managements geared up to talk to apprehensive parents.

K V Boye, Principal, FAPS said the H1N1-infected student was detected with the virus well on time, and is presently undergoing treatment at a private hospital. The institution was informed about the student’s infection on Friday, and the child had not been attending the classes since a week.

“We are constantly in touch with the parents, who have informed us that as of Sunday, the temperature of the child has returned to normal,” explained Boye.

The principal also said that the directions issued by the nodal officer for H1N1 influenza and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Disease(RGCID) have been followed. “A circular on the flu-like symptoms has been sent to parents and students as a precautionary measure. The circular, which has been made after repeated consultations with doctors, and the instructions that needs to be followed have been sent to parents and guardians,” said Boye. FAPS-Junior School has rescheduled the first term examination, while the classes for the high school have been retained as normal.

Chandrashekar, a parent, said, “A comprehensive campaign detailing the symptoms of the flu should be made known to the public. Handbills or posters on H1N1 influenza should be distributed to people. More screening and regular check up for children with cold or flu-like symptoms should be initiated at schools.”

As a precautionary measure, Ryan International School at Whitefield has suspended classes for two days.  Nagendra Tomar, a parent, said, “On  Monday morning as my daughter was on her way to school, we were informed by the school authorities that classes were suspended till Tuesday.”

Schools are reaching out to the parents via SMS and e-mail, to provide them with updates.


Suspected case in Davangere

A 29-year-old woman has been admitted to SS Hospital with symptoms of swine flu. Nasal and tongue swab samples of Jyoti from Baggahalli in Chikmagalur district, have been sent to Bangalore for confirmation. She is being kept in the ICU, according to Health and Welfare Officer Dr G N Shivanna Reddy.