A(H1N1) INFECTION ADVISORY
SR - PAR.TAS.STDS. 001-0910

21 June 2009

Dear Parents, Teachers, Administrative Staff, and Students:

This is to inform the PAREF Southridge School community that Southridge is suspending classes for ten (10) calendar days beginning Monday, June 22, because of a confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1) flu in one student. Classes will resume on Thursday, July 2.

The student came to school on Wednesday, June 17 and left for abroad the next day. He had fever in the evening of Thursday, June 18, and was swabbed the same night. The parents confirmed the result of the test and had informed the school at 10 am on June 20. The student is now being treated in a hospital and is recovering. The family and relatives of the student are also being quarantined and to date no one has manifested symptoms.

The suspension of classes is a precautionary measure prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH) under Memorandum No. 2009-0144, Response Level Guide for Schools to Control Influenza A. The school is undertaking the following steps as prescribed by Guideline No.12 of the DOH:

1. General cleaning of the school
2. Cleaning the chairs, desks, doors, toilets, lavatories, (aircon filters) and garbage bins with disinfectants
3. Ensure provision of water, soap and other supplies and materials for proper hygiene purposes
4. Intensify campaign for hand and respiratory hygiene and general sanitation

Students are advised to stay home and avoid heavy social contact for the duration of the suspension of classes. The school will issue another letter pertaining to academic matters and adjustments in the school calendar.

Anyone who exhibits flu-like symptoms is advised to get in touch with Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (809-7599) or the San Lazaro Hospital (732-3776 to 78). Thank you.


(SGD) DANIEL RODRIGO D. REYES
Executive Director
PAREF Southridge School