Swine flu threat in schools discussed

The threat posed by swine flu in schools is to be discussed by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and the Department of Education today.

The union is seeking reassurance that clear advice and guidance will be given to all schools to ensure proper management of the virus.

All primary schools are to reopen as planned in the coming weeks. However, teachers have stressed that they want updated, detailed advice before schools start.

The union wants practical advice in relation to children and teachers with underlying health conditions and advice for pregnant teachers.

The INTO has said that it hopes teachers will be given priority when a vaccine programme begins.

Two people have so far died from swine flu in Ireland. The second person, reported to be a man in his 50s, died in hospital in Dublin. It is understood that the man had no underlying health conditions. A postmortem will not be taking place.

The Department of Health has stressed that the majority of people are recovering well at home. However, it said that deaths can occur both in people who had underlying health conditions and in people who had no pre-existing conditions.

Last week, about 1,400 people presented to their GPs with suspected swine flu.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the antiviral Tamiflu can put some people at greater risk of suffering a stroke.

The British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned that Tamiflu can interact with the blood-thinning medication warfarin.

Taken together, the two drugs can dangerously thin the blood, putting patients at risk of uncontrolled bleeding, which can lead to a stroke.

The MHRA said they were monitoring the situation closely.

[Posted: Wed 19/08/2009]