No shutdowns, but Delhi schools alert on swine flu

NEW DELHI - The hype and panic over swine flu has definitely mellowed down in Delhi schools, but precautionary measures are very much in place to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus among students.

Unlike two months ago, when classes were suspended or an entire school was shut down if a student was suspected to have swine flu, now authorities as well as students have learnt to live with the threat of the disease while taking precautions.

For instance, two Class 9 students of Sanskriti school tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) Monday after they returned from a school trip to Mashobra in Himachal Pradesh. However, instead of shutting down the institution - like they did in August when one student tested positive for the virus - this time an advisory was issued.

“The parents of students who returned from the Mashobra trip are advised to monitor their children closely for any swine flu related symptoms and take necessary precautions,” said a message posted on the school’s website.

Arun Kapoor, principal of Vasant Valley School in south Delhi, similarly said: “It’s just the hype that has died down, not the risk (from swine flu). We had not shut down our school when the hype was at its peak, and if there is any suspected case now as well, we don’t suspend classes. But we have all the precautionary measures in place.”

“As a precaution, we don’t have school assemblies so as to avoid too much mingling among the children. We have hand sanitisers and ensure that students, teachers and the administration staff wash their hands frequently and classrooms are disinfected,” Kapoor told IANS.

By late Monday, the number of swine flu cases had touched 11,000 and the death toll had crossed the 351 mark in India, including 15 victims from the national capital.

Authorities at Sanskriti said the school no longer has assemblies, all out of town school trips are on hold and inter and intra school activities have been suspended.

The school has so far had nine positive cases.

Shri Ram School’s Aravalli branch in Gurgaon has shut down all sections of Class 6 “due to swine flu”. Students of this class will have to stay at home till Oct 20.

Madhulika Sen, principal of Tagore International School, said while they are not shutting down the school, they did suspend a class for three days after three students of the same section tested positive for swine flu.

“Otherwise, we are practicing all precautionary measures. For instance, we have separated the recess period for different classes and suspended yoga, aerobics and taekwondo sessions - which have students of different classes getting together- so as to avoid mingling.

“Also, the teachers are informed that if a child has flu like symptoms, he or she has to be sent home,” Sen told IANS.

An official of Sanskriti school added: “As a precaution, we have also asked students to bring their own food and water and as far as possible, avoid shaking hands and hugging. Of course, if they have flu like symptoms they are advised to stay at home.”