By : Archit Watts ,Chandigarh, August 7 : All schools and colleges are required to observe the guidelines issued by the ministry of H&FW, on influenza H1N1 for managing the cases of infection.
The UT Health Department, today, issued guidelines to DPI (C) and DPI (S) for onward circulation of the same to the principals of the schools and colleges for its observance.
As per the guidelines, any student or staff member showing flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, running nose and difficulty in breathing should be allowed to stay at home for a period of 7 to 10 days.Educational institutions should not insist on production of medical certificate by the student/staff.
Educational institutions should monitor the health status of such students/staff that might have come in contact with a suspected case of Influenza H1N1 to see whether they develop flu like symptoms. In case they do so, they should be allowed to stay home.
In case of students staying in hostels, the educational institutions would not only monitor the health status of the students, but also that of care providers. It has to be ensured that the care providers wear face mask and wash hands regularly.
It might not be advisable to send the boarders back to home, as it would spread infection further. Educational institutions are further encouraged to report such cases to State Nodal officer (Swine Flu) on Phone no. 102, 0172-2740408, 2782457 for further monitoring.