Hard-hit Waiheke schools ask parents to keep sick kids home

Quick-thinking staff contacted the Health Ministry and sent a newsletter to parents after swine flu was discovered at Te Huruhi School.

The letter was sent out on August 6 after absentee numbers peaked at 80 and 11 children were sent home with signs of flu.

Parents were asked to keep children with symptoms at home until they were fully recovered.

Further information was provided on preventative measures, signs and symptoms that signal the need for urgent medical attention.

"Our job is to keep parents fully informed and provide the relevant information from the authorities," principal Ian Travis says.

Waiheke Kindergarten and Waiheke Primary School have provided parents with similar information.

Waiheke Primary principal Lyn Price says one class was down to seven students last week.

"On the worst day we had 62 away," she says.

Naturopath Helen Alscott has also seen increased numbers of children and adults with flu-like symptoms this year.

"It is important to help your body's immune system stay strong by eating a good, healthy diet including citrus fruit, garlic and iron-rich foods."

Child Health nurse Cathie Williams advises dressing children warmly, providing them with hats, raincoats and warm shoes and keeping them home when ill.

Teaching them how to blow their noses, wash their hands properly and cough into their elbows is also recommended. Meanwhile, Waiheke High School absentees have increased from 6 percent to 11 percent this term.

Waiheke Health Trust advises parents to follow the Health Department's flu prevention guidelines and contact Healthline on 0800-611-116 or a local doctor if they have concerns about flu symptoms.

- Waiheke Marketplace